Tag: Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith Recalls Altercation With Homophobe On Wedding Night

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith has recalled an altercation he had with an individual in a bar following his wedding. They say weddings are meant to be the happiest day of a person’s life (the wife’s, at least…). For Smith, a 52-fight MMA veteran who has competed in the sport since 2008, it seems…

Continue Reading Anthony Smith Recalls Altercation With Homophobe On Wedding Night at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith has recalled an altercation he had with an individual in a bar following his wedding.

They say weddings are meant to be the happiest day of a person’s life (the wife’s, at least…). For Smith, a 52-fight MMA veteran who has competed in the sport since 2008, it seems that he gets a lot of his happiness when surrounded by the walls of the Octagon with an opponent to beat down in front of him.

So, what better way to improve his wedding experience than a little scrap at the end of it?

During a recent episode of the Believe You Me podcast, Smith traded wedding tales with former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping. The award for the most intriguing story came from the mic of “Lionheart,” who tied the knot with partner Mikhala Renee Newman on September 20, 2019, at Stonebridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska.

After a successful ceremony, Smith did what would be expected at the reception: got positively ‘sh*tfaced’.

“I got a good wedding story. I got f*cking annihilated at the reception, the wedding reception,” said Smith. “So, we go to this bar after the reception, and I’m standing there with my cousin… He’s all dressed up nice and I’m all nice, and there’s this lady at the bar and she’s there with her boyfriend or husband. My wife is there and she’s in a wedding dress. Everyone’s having a great time, but I am annihilated. I just got off the party bus.”

When at the bar, things turned south after Smith and his cousin ran into a couple. While the female congratulated him on the wedding, the male chose to refer to the UFC fighter using a homophobic insult.

“So this lady, very, very nice, says, ‘Hey, did you just get married,’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ She asks, ‘Is that your bride,’ like, obviously, she’s the only f*cking lady there in a wedding dress,” said Smith. “I said, ‘Yeah,’ and she’s like, ‘Well you guys look really, really great.’ Then turns back around and the guy that she was with uses the hard F word. I don’t wanna say it on here, but he said, ‘Why are you talking to those f*cking…’ and then calls us that word.”

Smith, whose uncle is gay, understandably took issue with the word, and wasn’t about to let it slide. After ‘freaking out’, the current top-five light heavyweight contender had to be dragged out of the bar by a host of partygoers, including his less-than-pleased wife.

“My uncle is flamin’ gay. Love the guy to death, but I’m super offended by that (the man’s insult). So, I wig out,” recalled Smith. “Don’t know why. I freaked out. So then that guy was like, ‘Well, f*ck you,’ so then I freak. I ended up getting (dragged) out of this bar, ruined the whole f*cking thing.

“(Defending the honor) of every LGBTQ person out there. I just f*cking hate that. I hate idiots like that,” added Smith. “It’s a trigger for me and it upset me. But for my poor wife, her and 10 guys had to drag me out this goddamn bar in my wedding suit… she was pissed.”

So what should the individual have learned from that experience? Well…

  • Don’t insult a random stranger on his wedding day.
  • Don’t use homophobic insults.
  • Don’t test a drunk groom.
  • Don’t insult the family members of a UFC fighter.

Anything we’ve missed?

Anthony Smith
Image Credit: Dylan Buell/Getty Images

How would you have reacted if you were in Anthony Smith’s shoes?

Continue Reading Anthony Smith Recalls Altercation With Homophobe On Wedding Night at MMA News.

Anthony Smith Provides Additional Details on Incident With “Blacked Out Drunk” ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Dan Blizerian

Anthony SmithFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith set the MMA community on fire during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Belive You Me’ podcast. During their conversation, Smith discussed an incident where a drunk Donald Cerrone and professional poker player Dan Blizerian forced Smith’s wife and mother out of their front row seats before Smith’s […]

Anthony Smith

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith set the MMA community on fire during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Belive You Me’ podcast.

During their conversation, Smith discussed an incident where a drunk Donald Cerrone and professional poker player Dan Blizerian forced Smith’s wife and mother out of their front row seats before Smith’s light heavyweight title fight with Jon Jones at UFC 235. 

“Dan Bilzerian and Donald Cerrone, removed my mom and my wife from their seats, while I’m getting ready to fight Jon Jones,” Anthony Smith said while speaking with Michael Bisping. “I was f*cking furious. If I had seen Dan Bilzerian – cause I had found out about it right after I got to the back, and if I had seen him then, I would have f*cking torn his head off, I was so mad.”

After Smith’s story blew up the internet, he followed up with Jesse Merl on his ‘Jesse ON FIRE’ podcast to provide some additional details on the incident and why he waited so long to discuss it.

Merl first asked if Anthony Smith had any idea that this story would cause such an uproar within the MMA community.

“No, I had no idea,” said Smith. “I’m just on the podcast with this thing. We just rap about whatever pops in our head and I don’t know. He brought up Dan Blizerian and I just told the Dan Blizerian story that I had.”

When asked if he had seen Blizerian since the incident, Smith stated that he had not, but did confirm he has run into Cerrone multiple times though never addressed the incident with him directly.

“I’ve ran into Cowboy a handful of times since and never said anything, but I’ve always given Cowboy a pass because I know that deep down, Cowboy’s a good dude. Sometimes you know, you drink too much or whatever and you end up in a weird circle with rich guys and sh*t happens sometimes. But I think Cowboy’s character has shown through positively more times than it has negatively.

“I’ve always given him kind of a pass on that and just been like, he was kind of f*cked up and you know, by and large Cowboy’s a good dude and I think that if I ever brought it up, I think that he would have apologized so I’ve always kind of given him a pass.” 

Anthony Smith Believes It Was an Isolated Incident With Cerrone, but Is Not Willing to Give Blizerian the Same Benefit of the Doubt

When asked about his knowledge of Dan Blizerian, Smith said that he only knew about Blizerian from what he had seen social media and heard from others.

“I don’t even know Dan. I guess I just know of what I’ve seen on social media and then what I’ve heard about him from people that do know him. Other than this one thing, he’s never done anything to me. It’s just a, you know, this is a one-off and I’ve always just assumed that he was just a [hell of a] douchebag.

“Just because that was my mom, it’s a story, you know what I mean? And because of the situation that was going on when it happened, it’s a deal, but how many times has he done that to just regular folks, you know what I mean? That’s the thing people are probably latching on to.

“I’m not out here trying to attack Dan and definitely not Cowboy. If I had an issue with Cowboy, there’s been plenty of situations for me to deal with that issue. Whether that be bring it up to him or flip out or whatever. Maybe I’m a weirdo because I haven’t. Initially I was pretty pissed as well, but I think the more I thought about it like, when you stick me in a room with a bunch of millionaires or whatever, you get blacked out drunk, I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t do something stupid.”

While Smith is willing to give Cerrone the benefit of the doubt, he was unwilling to do the same for Blizerian given his reputation. According to Smith, the two have not crossed paths since the incident but says he would have a conversation with Blizerian regarding the situation should they bump into one another.

“I think that was probably just an isolated situation [for Cowboy] and I don’t necessarily believe that it’s that isolated of a situation when it comes to Dan Blizerian. I could have gotten ahold of Dan if I wanted to. I always just figured I’d see him when I seen him and we would have a conversation about it.”

When asked what kind of conversation, Smith said, “I think that depends on him. I think he decides where that conversation goes.” 

Anthony Smith Provides Additional Details on Incident With “Blacked Out Drunk” ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Dan Blizerian

Anthony SmithFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith set the MMA community on fire during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Belive You Me’ podcast. During their conversation, Smith discussed an incident where a drunk Donald Cerrone and professional poker player Dan Blizerian forced Smith’s wife and mother out of their front row seats before Smith’s […]

Anthony Smith

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith set the MMA community on fire during an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Belive You Me’ podcast.

During their conversation, Smith discussed an incident where a drunk Donald Cerrone and professional poker player Dan Blizerian forced Smith’s wife and mother out of their front row seats before Smith’s light heavyweight title fight with Jon Jones at UFC 235. 

“Dan Bilzerian and Donald Cerrone, removed my mom and my wife from their seats, while I’m getting ready to fight Jon Jones,” Anthony Smith said while speaking with Michael Bisping. “I was f*cking furious. If I had seen Dan Bilzerian – cause I had found out about it right after I got to the back, and if I had seen him then, I would have f*cking torn his head off, I was so mad.”

After Smith’s story blew up the internet, he followed up with Jesse Merl on his ‘Jesse ON FIRE’ podcast to provide some additional details on the incident and why he waited so long to discuss it.

Merl first asked if Anthony Smith had any idea that this story would cause such an uproar within the MMA community.

“No, I had no idea,” said Smith. “I’m just on the podcast with this thing. We just rap about whatever pops in our head and I don’t know. He brought up Dan Blizerian and I just told the Dan Blizerian story that I had.”

When asked if he had seen Blizerian since the incident, Smith stated that he had not, but did confirm he has run into Cerrone multiple times though never addressed the incident with him directly.

“I’ve ran into Cowboy a handful of times since and never said anything, but I’ve always given Cowboy a pass because I know that deep down, Cowboy’s a good dude. Sometimes you know, you drink too much or whatever and you end up in a weird circle with rich guys and sh*t happens sometimes. But I think Cowboy’s character has shown through positively more times than it has negatively.

“I’ve always given him kind of a pass on that and just been like, he was kind of f*cked up and you know, by and large Cowboy’s a good dude and I think that if I ever brought it up, I think that he would have apologized so I’ve always kind of given him a pass.” 

Anthony Smith Believes It Was an Isolated Incident With Cerrone, but Is Not Willing to Give Blizerian the Same Benefit of the Doubt

When asked about his knowledge of Dan Blizerian, Smith said that he only knew about Blizerian from what he had seen social media and heard from others.

“I don’t even know Dan. I guess I just know of what I’ve seen on social media and then what I’ve heard about him from people that do know him. Other than this one thing, he’s never done anything to me. It’s just a, you know, this is a one-off and I’ve always just assumed that he was just a [hell of a] douchebag.

“Just because that was my mom, it’s a story, you know what I mean? And because of the situation that was going on when it happened, it’s a deal, but how many times has he done that to just regular folks, you know what I mean? That’s the thing people are probably latching on to.

“I’m not out here trying to attack Dan and definitely not Cowboy. If I had an issue with Cowboy, there’s been plenty of situations for me to deal with that issue. Whether that be bring it up to him or flip out or whatever. Maybe I’m a weirdo because I haven’t. Initially I was pretty pissed as well, but I think the more I thought about it like, when you stick me in a room with a bunch of millionaires or whatever, you get blacked out drunk, I can’t guarantee that I wouldn’t do something stupid.”

While Smith is willing to give Cerrone the benefit of the doubt, he was unwilling to do the same for Blizerian given his reputation. According to Smith, the two have not crossed paths since the incident but says he would have a conversation with Blizerian regarding the situation should they bump into one another.

“I think that was probably just an isolated situation [for Cowboy] and I don’t necessarily believe that it’s that isolated of a situation when it comes to Dan Blizerian. I could have gotten ahold of Dan if I wanted to. I always just figured I’d see him when I seen him and we would have a conversation about it.”

When asked what kind of conversation, Smith said, “I think that depends on him. I think he decides where that conversation goes.” 

Smith Claims Cerrone, Dan Bilzerian Started Altercation With Mom

UFC light heavyweight contender and commentator Anthony Smith’s mom was the target of an altercation cageside at UFC 235. According to Smith, fan-favorite Donald Cerrone, and social media influencer Dan Bilzerian got into it with his mom and wife cageside during the event. Smith faced then-light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 235 headliner,…

Continue Reading Smith Claims Cerrone, Dan Bilzerian Started Altercation With Mom at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight contender and commentator Anthony Smith’s mom was the target of an altercation cageside at UFC 235.

According to Smith, fan-favorite Donald Cerrone, and social media influencer Dan Bilzerian got into it with his mom and wife cageside during the event. Smith faced then-light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 235 headliner, losing via a unanimous decision.

Smith explained what happened during a recent segment on the Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping.

“My mom, my wife, my manager’s mom, and like two other people in my group are sitting front row,” Smith said. “I’m in the Octagon, and while this is happening, Jon Jones is making his way to the Octagon. So, Dan Bilzerian and another fighter – it was Donald Cerrone, so they’re together – I feel like a lot of people would read between the lines, but it’s gonna sound like I’m sh*tting on Donald Cerrone too, so.

“They come and they wanna sit down and watch the fight, but they’re fcking hammered. Like, just shithouse drunk. And so, they tell them (Smith’s group) that those are their seats,” Smith continued. “My mom doesn’t know Dan Bilzerian or Donald Cerrone – my wife knows who Donald is, but she doesn’t know him – and she doesn’t know who this short, tight shirt, funky-ass hat-wearing jerk is. She just knows that these are her seats and she’s about to watch her son fight for a world title.” (h/t LowKickMMA)

Smith went on to explain how the altercation between his mom, Cerrone, and Bilzerian reached its climax.

“Dan Bilzerian and Donald Cerrone, removed my mom and my wife from their seats, while I’m getting ready to fight Jon Jones,” Smith said. “I was f*cking furious. If I had seen Dan Bilzerian – cause I had found out about it right after I got to the back, and if I had seen him then, I would have f*cking torn his head off, I was so mad.

“… Then Dan ends up being next to my mom, and then during the fight, is watching porn on his phone,” Anthony Smith said. “Like, during the fight – he’s sitting there watching porn. And my mom’s super uncomfortable, like she’s not a – she’s weirded out, she’s a quiet lady, real shy. It was just a whole f*cking ordeal.”

Smith will face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 277 on July 30. He’s looking to potentially secure a light heavyweight title shot following three-straight wins over Ryan Spann, Jimmy Crute, and Devin Clark.

As for Cerrone, he’ll face Joe Lauzon at UFC Austin next month in potentially his last fight in the Octagon. UFC President Dana White has said that the loser will more than likely ride off into the sunset of their UFC tenure.

It’s unclear if Smith and Cerrone had a run-in or a conversation following the incident, but it’s certain that Smith still holds gripes about how Cerrone handled himself at UFC 235.

What’s your reaction to Anthony Smith’s story?

Continue Reading Smith Claims Cerrone, Dan Bilzerian Started Altercation With Mom at MMA News.

Anthony Smith Claims ‘Drunk’ Donald Cerrone, Dan Bilzerian Started Altercation With His Mother At UFC 235

Anthony SmithFormer UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has revealed how an inebriated former lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone, and controversial poker player, Dan Bilzerian had created an altercation between his family and his mother ahead of his UFC 235 title fight against Jon Jones in March 2019. Anthony Smith returns against Magomed Ankalaev at […]

Anthony Smith

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has revealed how an inebriated former lightweight title challenger, Donald Cerrone, and controversial poker player, Dan Bilzerian had created an altercation between his family and his mother ahead of his UFC 235 title fight against Jon Jones in March 2019.

Anthony Smith returns against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 277 in July

Smith, the current #5 ranked light heavyweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return in search of his third straight victory in a potential title-eliminator against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 277 on July 30. at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Competing previously for undisputed gold, Smith revealed recently during an interview with former middleweight champion, Michael Bisping on the latter’s podcast, Believe You Me – how Cerrone and a drunk, Bilzerian started an altercation with his family who were sitting front row ahead of his championship clash with Jones.

“My mom, my wife, my manager’s mom, and like two other people in my group are sitting front row,” Anthony Smith said. “I’m in the Octagon, and while this is happening, Jon Jones is making his way to the Octagon. So, Dan Bilzerian and another fighter – it was Donald Cerrone, so they’re together – I feel like a lot of people would read between the lines, but it’s gonna sound like I’m sh*tting on Donald Cerrone too, so.”

“They come and they wanna sit down and watch the fight, but they’re f*cking hammered,” Anthony Smith explained. “Like, just sh*thouse drunk. And so, they tell them (Smith’s group) that those are their seats. My mom doesn’t know Dan Bilzerian or Donald Cerrone – my wife knows who Donald is, but she doesn’t know him – and she doesn’t know who this short, tight shirt, funky-ass hat-wearing jerk is. She just knows that these are her seats and she’s about to watch her son fight for a world title.”

Smith then explains how Cerrone and Bilzerian forced his mother out of her seat in order to make space for them to sit down – before Bilzerian then allegedly began to watch pornography on his phone whilst sitting next to Smith’s mother. 

“Dan Bilzerian and Donald Cerrone, removed my mom and my wife from their seats, while I’m getting ready to fight Jon Jones,” Anthony Smith said. “I was f*cking furious. If I had seen Dan Bilzerian – cause I had found out about it right after I got to the back, and if I had seen him then, I would have f*cking torn his head off, I was so mad.”

“… Then Dan ends up being next to my mom, and then during the fight, is watching porn on his phone,” Anthony Smith said. “Like, during the fight – he’s sitting there watching porn. And my mom’s super uncomfortable, like she’s not a – she’s weirded out, she’s a quiet lady, real shy. It was just a whole f*cking ordeal.”

Ankalaev vs. Smith Added To UFC 277 Card On July 30

Stakes will be high in the light heavyweight division at UFC 277, with top contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Anthony Smith set to share the Octagon. The clash between the rising Dagestani and “Lionheart” is the latest bout featured in leaked pictures of the UFC matchmaking board to be confirmed since the images emerged. The revelation…

Continue Reading Ankalaev vs. Smith Added To UFC 277 Card On July 30 at MMA News.

Stakes will be high in the light heavyweight division at UFC 277, with top contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Anthony Smith set to share the Octagon.

The clash between the rising Dagestani and “Lionheart” is the latest bout featured in leaked pictures of the UFC matchmaking board to be confirmed since the images emerged.

The revelation follows news that Bryan Barberena vs. Robbie Lawler and Sean O’Malley vs. Pedro Munhoz are set for UFC 276 on July 2, as the board suggested.

The UFC 277 pay-per-view, slated for July 30, does not have a confirmed location, but the leaked war room images listed Dallas, Salt Lake City, Boston, and Chicago as possible host cities for the event. The addition of Ankalaev vs. Smith was confirmed by MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

Smith (36-16), a former title challenger and the current #5-ranked light heavyweight, has shot back into title contention with three consecutive victories.

After going 1-2 in a trio of bouts following his failed shot at dethroning Jon Jones in 2019, including defeats to current champion Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Raki?, “Lionheart” has rebounded with a pay-per-view triumph over Jimmy Crute, as well as main event victories over Devin Clark and Ryan Spann.

Now, as the 52-fight veteran looks to secure a second opportunity at holding gold on MMA’s biggest stage, “Lionheart” will have to go through a man tipped as a sure-fire future champion.

Ankalaev (17-1), a former WFCA light heavyweight champion and the current #4-ranked UFC contender, has risen into the group of elite at 205 pounds with eight straight wins inside the Octagon. Since falling to a last-second submission loss to Paul Craig on debut in 2018, the 29-year-old has added the likes of Klidson Abreu, Ion Cu?elaba, and Nikita Krylov to his résumé.

In his latest appearance, which marked his main event debut, Ankalaev dispatched former title challenger Thiago Santos on the scorecards. He’ll now be hoping to secure a title shot by adding the name of another elite contender to his impressive record.

Having previously suggested that Ankalaev isn’t the “boogeyman” people say he is, Smith will be looking to prove himself right and halt the fast surge of the Russian on July 30.

The current fights expected to take place at UFC 277 are as follows:

Derrick Lewis vs. Sergei Pavlovich (heavyweight)

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Anthony Smith (light heavyweight)

The recent matchmaking leak included a heavyweight contest between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic as the UFC 277 headliner, though it’s unclear if that remains the plan after news emerged that Miocic won’t be ready to return until September.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 277, Magomed Ankalaev or Anthony Smith?

Continue Reading Ankalaev vs. Smith Added To UFC 277 Card On July 30 at MMA News.