Tag: Anthony Smith

Conor McGregor Shredded by Michael Bisping for His ‘Douchebag’ Behavior During Joshua vs. Dubois Fight

Conor McGregor Shredded by Michael Bisping for His 'Douchebag' Behavior During Joshua vs. Dubois FightMichael Bisping and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith were not amused by Conor McGregor’s “douchey” antics in London. The Irish megastar…

Conor McGregor Shredded by Michael Bisping for His 'Douchebag' Behavior During Joshua vs. Dubois Fight

Michael Bisping and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith were not amused by Conor McGregor’s “douchey” antics in London.

The Irish megastar was sitting ringside at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night for the highly anticipated scrap between Anthony Joshua and current IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois. Unsurprisingly, McGregor made a spectacle of himself, strutting into the arena with an unlit cigar sticking out of his mouth and jumping out of his chair during Dubois’ stunning fifth-round KO of ‘AJ’ to retain his title.

Conor McGregor

Analyzing McGregor’s behavior during a recent episode of their Believe You Me podcast, Bisping and Smith absolutely shredded the former two-division titleholder.

“Conor, you would have thought that he was a big Daniel Dubois fan because when Joshua was getting those [punches], he was out of his seat,” Bisping said. “Maybe the cigar might have even got lit. Walking in with a big cigar, unlit, between the teeth. How do we feel about that? Because two words spring to mind right now: Douche. Bag” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Anthony Smith wishes he was ‘Five Percent as cool as [Conor McGregor] thinks he is’

Anthony Smith stopped himself from completely trashing McGregor but questioned some of the Irishman’s more interesting choices regarding how he presents himself to the world.

“I don’t know what happens to people or when you change or how much money you have to have to start doing weird, douchey shit like that,” Smith said. “Like, how rich do you have to be to wear your sunglasses inside 24/7. For what? I wish I was five percent as cool as he thinks he is. Like, how do you get to be so cool? I don’t know, I don’t get it. And I don’t want to just talk sh*t on Conor, but come on, bro. Come on.”

Conor McGregor

McGregor has been spotted just about everywhere over the last three years except for the Octagon where. His last time competing came all the way back in July 2021 when he suffered a broken leg in the first round of his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier.

He was scheduled to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas on June 29, but a broken pinky toe prompted him to bow out of the bout. Now with his purported opponent, ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler, finally moving on and booking a rematch with Charles Oliveira in November, it’s unclear when or if we’ll ever actually see McGregor fight again.

Conor McGregor

Anthony Smith Shares Theory On Alex Pereira Pondering Middleweight Return To Fight Dricus Du Plessis: ‘You Beat My Friend!’

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes Alex Pereira’s middleweight tease could derive from a desire to “stick up” for Israel Adesanya. Adesanya recently returned to action in the main event of UFC 305, a pay-per-view event staged at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The former two-time champ headlined alongside Dricus Du Plessis, competing […]

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UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes Alex Pereira’s middleweight tease could derive from a desire to “stick up” for Israel Adesanya.

Adesanya recently returned to action in the main event of UFC 305, a pay-per-view event staged at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The former two-time champ headlined alongside Dricus Du Plessis, competing for the South African’s gold.

“The Last Stylebender” was unsuccessful in his bid for another reign, falling via rear-naked choke submission in the third round. By all accounts, a rematch with Sean Strickland looks the likeliest next task for the reigning titleholder.

But one man caused a stir with his Instagram post in the aftermath, as Pereira teased a possible return to the division he once ruled over to do battle with “Stillknocks.”

Given that “Poatan” has previously dismissed talk of another drop to that weight and instead pondered a heavyweight venture, many were surprised by the post. One man who has long gone back and forth with the Brazilian, however, thinks he might know the reason behind it…

Smith: Pereira’s ‘Brotherhood’ With Adesanya Motivating Possible Pursuit Of Du Plessis

During ESPN’s UFC 305 Post Show this past weekend, the panel of Smith, Din Thomas, and Brett Okamoto reflected on the main event in Perth and looked ahead to what could be next for the champ and unsuccessful challenger.

In terms of the victorious South African, they made note of Pereira’s social media tease. And although plenty have dismissed it as a playful post, “Lionheart” believes the reigning light heavyweight king could be serious.

In terms of the reasons why Pereira could go back on his word not to return to 185 pounds, Smith thinks the Brazilian could want to make Du Plessis pay for beating his longtime rival.

“Part of me kind of believes he’s a little bit serious. I don’t think he’s any bigger now than when he was at light heavyweight last time,” Smith said. “I feel like there’s a sense of Alex wanting to kind of stick up for Israel. They have this weird connection, this weird brotherhood, this unusual friendship. They’re moulded together for the rest of their careers.

“I feel like that’s him (Pereira), ‘Alright, you beat my friend, or someone that I have history with. So now I’m coming down and I’ll take care of it.’ That’s kind of how it felt,” Smith continued. “Almost like, ‘We have this thing going on, but none of you can mess with us.’ That’s kind of how it was.”

It remains to be seen whether the matchup will enter the realm of possibility anytime soon. Both Du Plessis and his coach have green lit a showdown with Pereira, but only if it provides the South African with the opportunity to achieve two-division glory himself.

Continue Reading Anthony Smith Shares Theory On Alex Pereira Pondering Middleweight Return To Fight Dricus Du Plessis: ‘You Beat My Friend!’ at MMA News.

Report: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Targeted For UFC 310 On December 14

The major events for the UFC’s 2024 final quarter schedule is starting to come together, and a battle between former light heavyweight title challengers is being targeted for the last pay-per-view of the year. A clash between Anthony Smith (38-20) and Dominick Reyes (13-4) is being planned to take place on December 14, the likely […]

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The major events for the UFC’s 2024 final quarter schedule is starting to come together, and a battle between former light heavyweight title challengers is being targeted for the last pay-per-view of the year.

A clash between Anthony Smith (38-20) and Dominick Reyes (13-4) is being planned to take place on December 14, the likely date for UFC 310, per Alex Behunin of MMA Mania. Though no location has been announced, it is believed the card will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Targeted For UFC 310

Smith is coming off a loss to Roman Dolidze at UFC 303 this past June. “Lionheart” was just less than two months removed from his previous fight, defeating Vitor Petrino at the Brazil-held UFC 301 in May.

The veteran contender has consistently traded wins and losses over the past couple of years since challenging Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 235, losing a decision.

Reyes, meanwhile, competed at UFC Fight Night Louisville in June, knocking out Dustin Jacoby in two minutes. It was “The Devastator’s” first fight since a loss to Ryan Spann at UFC 281 in 2022 and his first victory since defeating Chris Weidman in Boston in October 2019.

His four-fight losing skid in the time between began with an unsuccessful challenge of Jones at UFC 247, losing via a controversial decision.

Continue Reading Report: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Targeted For UFC 310 On December 14 at MMA News.

Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Booked for UFC 310

Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Booked for UFC 310A battle between former light heavyweight title challengers Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes has been earmarked for December. According…

Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes Booked for UFC 310

A battle between former light heavyweight title challengers Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes has been earmarked for December.

According to a report from MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, the former Jon Jones foes will step inside the Octagon this winter for a scrap at UFC 310. No additional details regarding the event have been revealed, but the card is rumored to go down on Saturday, December 14 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes

It will be Smith’s first time competing since a short-notice showdown with top-15-ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze at UFC 303 in June. ‘Lionheart’ came up short and has lost two of his last three, including a brutal third-round knockout loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. last December.

In between the two losses, Smith scored an upset over Vitor Petrino at UFC 301, submitting the Brazilian with a guillotine at the two-minute mark of the opening round.

Anthony Smith

Smith is a one-time UFC title challenger, facing then-light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones at UFC 235 in 2019. ‘Bones’ handily defeated Smith via unanimous decision and ‘Lionheart’ has been trying to fight his way back to the belt ever since. Overall Smith is 37-20 in his mixed martial arts career, 13-10 inside the Octagon.

Dominick Reyes gunning for second straight win in octagon return

Meeting him inside the Octagon will be another man who knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity. After dropping a controversial decision to Jones in his first shot at the 205-pound crown, ‘The Devastator’ came up short in his next three fights, suffering a series of brutal KOs against Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, Ryan Spann.

Dominick Reyes

Earlier this year, Reyes was scheduled to face Carlos Ulberg. Not long after the bout was scrapped, Reyes discovered he had deep vein thrombosis—a blood clot that forms in a large vein, usually in the lower legs.

“I’m lucky to be alive right now, that’s always nice,” Reyes told MiddleEasy in February. “We caught it early, so it didn’t become a pulmonary embolism, and thank God for that.”

Reyes returned to the Octagon in June and earned an inspiring two-minute finish against Dustin Jacoby—his first victory in nearly five years.

Dominick Reyes

‘The Devastator’ is 7-4 under the UFC banner, 13-4 overall.

TJ Dillashaw Criticises Anthony Smith: ‘He Doesn’t Have That Dog In Him…’

TJ Dillashaw recently escalated his critique of Anthony Smith, backing up all of his previous fault-finding of the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger. Smith might have faced a sobering reality regarding his hopes for a second run towards the title after enduring a challenging unanimous decision loss to short-notice replacement Roman Dolidze at UFC […]

Continue Reading TJ Dillashaw Criticises Anthony Smith: ‘He Doesn’t Have That Dog In Him…’ at MMA News.

TJ Dillashaw recently escalated his critique of Anthony Smith, backing up all of his previous fault-finding of the former UFC light heavyweight title challenger.

Smith might have faced a sobering reality regarding his hopes for a second run towards the title after enduring a challenging unanimous decision loss to short-notice replacement Roman Dolidze at UFC 303 in June.

Interestingly, the former UFC bantamweight champion was highly critical of “Lionheart’s” performance during his appearance on the JAXXON PODCAST with former UFC champions Rampage Jackson and Luke Rockhold last month. Dillashaw mocked Smith’s moniker, bluntly stating that the 36-year-old Texan will never become champion because he lacks the resilience to persevere.

Smith swiftly responded to Dillashaw’s pointed remarks during an episode of the BELIEVE YOU ME Podcast. “Lionheart” didn’t hold back, taking a scathing jab at the 38-year-old Californian’s positive performance-enhancing drug test in 2019, which resulted in a two-year suspension from the UFC.

However, the exchange of verbal jabs didn’t end there. Dillashaw has returned with a fresh barrage of critiques, once again labeling Smith as a quitter…

Dillashaw Thinks Smith Becomes Defensive When Judged

During his recent appearance on the JAXXON PODCAST, Dillashaw sought to defend his previous comments about Smith, arguing that he lacks the attributes of a true championship contender—a reality Smith himself has acknowledged.

“I thought he was going to be a champion. I said no, and then you’re like, why not? It’s like, he gives up,” Dillashaw said. “He doesn’t have that fight, he doesn’t have that dog in him personally, and I think he admitted it himself without even hearing our podcast yet. He did a video after that, kind of like deciding he’s going to continue to fight.”

The bantamweight veteran further noted that while Smith frequently criticizes other fighters, he doesn’t handle criticism directed at himself with the same grace.

“I mean, dude, the guy’s got to sit there and be like, why are you wearing your feelings on your sleeve? I mean, he sits there and talks sht about people on the broadcast all the time. I’m no stranger to it; he said some sh*t about me. It’s like, whatever, dude. That’s just how I feel, and if you don’t like it, if the truth hurts, too f**king bad.”

Smith competed for the light heavyweight title in March 2019 against Jon Jones at UFC 235. In that bout, “Lionheart” decided to continue after being struck by an illegal knee from Jones and ultimately lost by unanimous decision.

Following his defeat to “Bones”, Smith struggled to find his footing, unable to gain any significant momentum in his subsequent outings.

Continue Reading TJ Dillashaw Criticises Anthony Smith: ‘He Doesn’t Have That Dog In Him…’ at MMA News.

Anthony Smith On Ex-Opponent Jon Jones’ Alleged Incident With Drug Tester: ‘If He Got One Of Those Bad Ones…’

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith sympathizes with former opponent Jon Jones as he battles his latest legal case. The reigning heavyweight champion has once again found himself the subject of concerning allegations, this time involving a female agent for Drug Free Sport International — the organization that administers the UFC’s new anti-doping program. The alleged victim […]

Continue Reading Anthony Smith On Ex-Opponent Jon Jones’ Alleged Incident With Drug Tester: ‘If He Got One Of Those Bad Ones…’ at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith sympathizes with former opponent Jon Jones as he battles his latest legal case.

The reigning heavyweight champion has once again found himself the subject of concerning allegations, this time involving a female agent for Drug Free Sport International — the organization that administers the UFC’s new anti-doping program.

The alleged victim claims Jones threatened her life and took away her phone when she and a colleague turned up to his house to test him. “Bones” is accused of remarking, “Do you know what happens to people who come to my house? They end up dead.”

A few months on from details of the alleged incident emerging, Jones has officially been charged with assault, a petty misdemeanor, and interference with communications, a misdemeanor.

The MMA great is unsurprisingly challenging the tester’s account of events, having been firm with his denial in the days after the accusations initially emerged. And having had his own experience with drug testers in the past, one former opponent of Jones’ appears to support him…

Smith On Jones’ Drug-Tester Charges: ‘Sometimes They Can Be Assholes…’

During a recent episode of Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, Smith reacted to the charges against Jones, which mark the latest controversy outside of the cage involving his ex-rival.

“Lionheart,” who unsuccessfully challenged for Jones’ light heavyweight title back in 2019, explained why he was compelled to support Jones following news of the charges, noting that not every tester is well-mannered and appreciative of fighters’ time.

“I kind of stuck up for him at the beginning because it is a pain in the ass to do the whole drug-testing thing,” Smith said. “I’ve always been lucky that my drug testers have always been pretty cool. They’re fairly respectful of your time, they’re fairly respectful of the inconvenience that they’re creating for you. So they always show up like, ‘Hey, I know it’s not the best time, sorry, let me get this sample and we’ll get out of here.’ But I have had one…not here at home or in Denver, but just been out somewhere and they find this random person, somebody you’ve never had before, and sometimes they can be assholes. They have this power trip…like they want to boss you around.

“If he (Jones) got one of those bad ones…because he’s a little bit hot-headed at times, I can understand him kind of flipping out and going off,” Smith continued. “And apparently he was having a party, so I think he was drinking and had some friends over. They show up, started to be assholes, kind of being disrespectful at times, I could see him kind of going off. But once you start touching people and taking their phones and stuff, that’s a problem. But if (the testers were) being an asshole to him, then it’s kind of in his right. That’s not illegal.”

Days on from the charges being confirmed, Jones appeared at Bernalillo Country Metropolitan Court on Wednesday for his bail arraignment, pleading not guilty to the misdemeanors.

Having had the conditions for his ongoing release set, the UFC star will have his bench trial scheduled for a date between 30 and 45 days down the line.

Continue Reading Anthony Smith On Ex-Opponent Jon Jones’ Alleged Incident With Drug Tester: ‘If He Got One Of Those Bad Ones…’ at MMA News.