Tag: Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith hits out at Alex Pereira amid verbal war: ‘If you want a f*cking rival you’ve got one right here’

Anthony Smith offers Alex Pereira fight if you want a f*cking rival UFCFormer light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has responded to recent comments from arch-rival and former undisputed middleweight championship holder, Alex Pereira – claiming if he is in search of a UFC rival, he’s got on in waiting. Smith, who snapped a disappointing two-fight losing skid earlier this month, managed to land a close, split […]

Anthony Smith offers Alex Pereira fight if you want a f*cking rival UFC

Former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has responded to recent comments from arch-rival and former undisputed middleweight championship holder, Alex Pereira – claiming if he is in search of a UFC rival, he’s got on in waiting.

Smith, who snapped a disappointing two-fight losing skid earlier this month, managed to land a close, split decision win over Ryan Spann in the pair’s rematch – landing his first victory since he submitted the former with a rear-naked choke in a 2021 headliner at the UFC Apex facility.

As for Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira, the Brazilian made a successful light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City, Utah – landing in the division with a close, split judging win of his own over former champion, Jan Blachowicz. 

Reacting to claims from Smith ahead of his outing in Kallang that he looked entirely normal at the light heavyweight limit, Pereira the one-time title challenger, claimed the former would amount to nothing, and described him as “washed-up”.

Anthony Smith hits back at UFC foe, Alex Pereira

Sharing his thoughts on the comments from Pereira – as well as a subsequent offer of a grappling match, Smith claimed he would be willing to rival the Brazilian if needs be.

“I said a bunch of nice sh*t about you, and you’re going to talk sh*t?” Anthony Smith said of Alex Pereira on his SiriusXM radio programe. “I don’t think so. That’s not how this works. Then we’re going to shake hands when we see each other because you’re doing this media thing because you’re looking for a rival? If you want a f*cking rival, you’ve got one right here. I didn’t do sh*t to you. I’ve been nothing but complimentary of him and his whole team and a lot of his training partners. I don’t know what I did to that guy.” 

As for Pereira, the Brazilian has been lined up to challenge for vacant light heavyweight gold against former champion, Jiri Prochazka – potentially as soon as December of this year at UFC 296. 

Do you want to see Anthony Smith fight Alex Pereira in the future?

Alex Pereira blasts UFC rival Anthony Smith in brutal tirade: ‘He’s washed up and never amounted to anything’

Alex Pereira hits out at Anthony Smith he's washed up and never amounted to anything UFCFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has hit out at former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith – after the Nebraska native questioned if the power of the Brazilian had translated since his 205lbs leap, referring to the former as a “washed-up veteran’. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 291 back […]

Alex Pereira hits out at Anthony Smith he's washed up and never amounted to anything UFC

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has hit out at former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith – after the Nebraska native questioned if the power of the Brazilian had translated since his 205lbs leap, referring to the former as a “washed-up veteran’.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, most recently co-headlined UFC 291 back in July in Salt Lake City, Utah – securing a split decision win over former undisputed champion, Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight divisional bow.

As for Smith, the former Bellator MMA contender recorded his first victory since 2021 over the course of the weekend in the co-main event of UFC Singapore, landed a split decision win of his own over Ryan Spann in the pair’s rematch – having previously submitted the latter in the opening round in his last win.

Alex Pereira goes scorched earth on Anthony Smith after UFC Singapore

And reacting to Smith’s thoughts on his ability at the light heavyweight limit since his summer move, Pereira has gone scorched earth on the veteran, claiming he “never amounted to anything”.

“I always see him [Anthony Smith] talking, especially about me,” Alex Pereira said on his official YouTube channel. “He talks really bad, I don’t know what he has against me but he criticized other athletes too, saying the athlete didn’t make weight and a guy who in Glover [Teixeira’s] fight in Rio de Janeiro was a backup and the guy didn’t make weight. It shows why he’s not successful. Because someone who’s going to be a backup fighter, he takes it easy, unlike Glover.” 

“If there’s one guy doing well and another guy only criticizing, people aren’t stupid,” Alex Pereira explained. “They’ll see what’s going on. They’ll see that he’s just a bitter man. The only ones who speak bad about me are Anthony Smith-types. Washed-up vets who never amounted to anything, who are still fighting. They’re in a really tight spot or the guy who is still a nobody but those who are already doing well. I don’t see them talking about me, you know? It’s the one who are beneath me.”

Would you like to see Alex Pereira fight Anthony Smith next after UFC Singapore?

Johnny Walker congratulates Anthony Smith on UFC Singapore win, insists ‘I didn’t attack your family’

Johnny WalkerLight heavyweight standout Johnny Walker congratulated Anthony Smith on his return to the win column at UFC Singapore, but once again made it clear that he in no way attacked his family. On Saturday, ‘Lionheart’ snapped a two-fight losing skid after scoring a closely contested split decision victory over Ryan Spann. It was Smith’s second […]

Johnny Walker

Light heavyweight standout Johnny Walker congratulated Anthony Smith on his return to the win column at UFC Singapore, but once again made it clear that he in no way attacked his family.

On Saturday, ‘Lionheart’ snapped a two-fight losing skid after scoring a closely contested split decision victory over Ryan Spann. It was Smith’s second victory over Spann, having earned a first-round submission against ‘Superman’ in 2021. The win will no doubt help erase the bad taste left in Smith’s mouth after delivering a lackluster performance against rising contender Johnny Walker earlier this year.

Walker had a dominant performance against Smith in May, but much of his victory was overshadowed by a very strange accusation that ‘Lionheart’ made during their UFC on ABC 4 scrap.

During the second round of the bout, Anthony Smith could be heard telling Walker, “You’re attacking my family.” A confused Walker said, “What?” before Smith repeated his statement.

Johnny Walker Recalls Awkward Exchange with Anthony Smith

Taking to social media following Smith’s win inside Singapore Indoor Stadium, Johnny Walker congratulated his former foe online and reassured Smith that he never attacked his family.

“Congratulations @lionheartasmith for the win, but I didn’t attack your family I promise you,” Walker wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

To this day, the motivation behind Smith’s statement is unclear, but many believe that it could have been ‘Lionheart’ using a terrifying moment from his life to help get him in a mindset to fight inside the Octagon.

Appearing on the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping not long after the loss to Johnny Walker, Smith detailed an incident where he and his family were the victims of a home invasion. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the intruder was taken into custody, but fight fans believe that ‘Lionheart’ could still be suffering PTSD from the incident with many pointing to the video clip below:

Anthony Smith suffers gnarly eye injury in razor thin decision win over Ryan Spann – UFC Singapore Highlights

Anthony Smith survives gnarly eye injury to win close decision in rematch Ryan Spann UFC SingaporeHaving previously submitted arch-rival, Ryan Spann back in 2021, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith managed to survive some serious adversity from the second round onward in the co-main event of UFC Singapore tonight — defeating the former for the second time in his career in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory. […]

Anthony Smith survives gnarly eye injury to win close decision in rematch Ryan Spann UFC Singapore

Having previously submitted arch-rival, Ryan Spann back in 2021, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith managed to survive some serious adversity from the second round onward in the co-main event of UFC Singapore tonight — defeating the former for the second time in his career in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory.

Back to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in two years since his submission win over Spann, Nebraska veteran, Smith was forced to continue through a massive swelling around is left eye caused by a left hand from the former, gritting through from the second frame through to the third to win a close split judging triumph.

Announcing plans for a title siege following a prior 2019 decision loss to former division kingpin and current heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, Smith, who had entered tonight’s pairing with Spann off the back of consecutive losses to both Magomed Ankalaev, and Johnny Walker, can now enter the winner’s enclosure for the first time in two years.

Below, catch the highlights from Anthony Smith’s decision win over Ryan Spann

Anthony Smith still chasing championship win ahead of UFC Singapore return: ‘Sometimes I sh*t the bed’

Anthony Smith still planning title win after UFC Singapore sometimes I sh*t the bedSlated to co-headline UFC Singapore this weekend, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith still retains plans to eventually lift Octagon gold, all while openly discussing his lapses throughout his tenure in the Dana White-led organization. Set to return to the Octagon this weekend in Kallang, Nebraska veteran, Smith co-headlines the ‘Fight Night’ billed event […]

Anthony Smith still planning title win after UFC Singapore sometimes I sh*t the bed

Slated to co-headline UFC Singapore this weekend, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith still retains plans to eventually lift Octagon gold, all while openly discussing his lapses throughout his tenure in the Dana White-led organization.

Set to return to the Octagon this weekend in Kallang, Nebraska veteran, Smith co-headlines the ‘Fight Night’ billed event – taking on former foe, Ryan Spann in an important rematch.

Sidelined since suffering a one-sided decision loss to Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night Charlotte back in May, Smith managed to land a first round rear-naked choke win over Spann back in 2021, which came as his third victory as part of a three-fight winning run, and ultimately, his most recent triumph inside the Octagon.

Anthony Smith opens up on career mistakes ahead of UFC return

Attempting to remain within the light heavyweight top-10 this weekend, Smith admitted that he still planned to go one better and achieve title success which he missed in a 2019 fight against current heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones, post-UFC Singapore.

“The whole reason I’m still here and still in this journey is the title,” Anthony Smith told assembled media ahead of UFC Singapore. “The second that I think that I can’t win it or that it’s too far out of reach, then I’ll be done doing this.”

“I’ve been a bit inconsistent,” Anthony Smith explained. “I think at times I show up, and it’s clear I can beat anyone in the world, and sometimes I show up and sh*t the bed. So I’ve just really been working on my consistency. I think that’s what it comes down to: my focus and just trying to bring the best product every time. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to adjust some of my training and approaches and recovery stuff. It’s just a learning process.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

As part of that aforenoted three-fight winning run, Smith, 35, landed consecutive victories over both Devin Clark and Jimmy Crute, to go with his Performance of the Night submission win over the above-mentioned, Spann. 

Can Anthony Smith land light heavyweight gold before his UFC time is up?

Anthony Smith sees Alex Pereira struggling at 205: ‘He’s not the large scary monster he was at middleweight’

Anthony SmithAnthony Smith doesn’t see Alex Pereira posing as much of a threat in the light heavyweight division as he did at 185. ‘Lionheart’ will look to snap a two-fight losing skid this Saturday as the promotion heads to Singapore for a stacked event headlined by the return of fan-favorite Chan Sung Jung, aka The Korean […]

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith doesn’t see Alex Pereira posing as much of a threat in the light heavyweight division as he did at 185.

‘Lionheart’ will look to snap a two-fight losing skid this Saturday as the promotion heads to Singapore for a stacked event headlined by the return of fan-favorite Chan Sung Jung, aka The Korean Zombie. In the co-main event, Anthony Smith will run back his September 2021 scrap with Ryan Spann. On that night, Smith scored a first-round rear-naked choke submission. He’ll look to repeat that result in Lion City this weekend.

Ahead of his return to the Octagon, Anthony Smith sat down with members of the media to discuss his upcoming contest and the state of the light heavyweight division.

Of course, you can’t talk about the 205-pound weight class without addressing the division debut of former middleweight world champion Alex Pereira. Poatan’ scored a closely-contested split decision over Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 to secure himself an opportunity at light heavyweight gold.

“I like what Alex has brought to the division. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his game and I just think it would be a really fun fight,” Smith said during his appearance at the UFC Singapore press event. “I think it would bring a little bit of intrigue to the fight just because of Glover and I’s history. Anything I can do to get a win over Glover, I will absolutely do.“

Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira are far from strangers. The pair squared off inside the Octagon in 2020 with Teixeira coming out on top via a fifth-round TKO. In June, the pair competed against one another in a submission grappling match at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4. Teixeira once again saw his hand raised, this time via decision.

“As much as I like that guy and after the grappling thing, him and I, and his wife and mine sat and had some beers and talked about potential matchups with me and Alex and you know, it is what it is,” Pereira continued. “It’s all business. We’re all martial artists and competitors. It’s nothing personal.”

Anthony Smith Sees Alex Pereira Struggling in the Light Heavyweight Division

Speaking about Alex Pereira’s somewhat controversial win over Jan Blachowicz, Anthony Smith suggested that it was an eye-opening experience for the former GLORY Kickboxing world champion.

“It was a really close fight. I think probably 50% of the people had Alex and I think the other half had Jan,” Smith said. “I thought Alex looked pretty good. To be fair, I thought Jan looked pretty good as well. He was able to do a lot of things that Jan Blachowicz typically does to be successful. I think that Alex had a little bit of an eye-opening moment at 205. He’s not the large scary monster that he was at middleweight. He’s a fairly normal dude.

“Now because he’s so technical and has such an incredible striking game, he’s always going to be special, but in terms of just his size and power, he doesn’t stand out amongst all of the 205ers and I don’t think that Alex Pereira is more powerful than Aleksandar Rakic. He’s not going to be stronger than a guy like [Magomed] Ankalaev. These dudes are big, powerful, hard-hitting dudes, every single one of them.

“Because he’s such a good striker, he’s still going to be special, but it’s not going to just be his power and his strength that’s going to push him over the top anymore.”