UFC President Dana White believes Anthony Smith’s entire UFC on ESPN 18 process serves as an example for other fighters to follow. It is not often that a ranked fighter will volunteer to fight an unranked opponent on short notice in today’s UFC. But as…
UFC President Dana White believes Anthony Smith’s entire UFC on ESPN 18 process serves as an example for other fighters to follow. It is not often that a ranked fighter will volunteer to fight an unranked opponent on short notice in today’s UFC. But as Anthony Smith has demonstrated in the past, he is a […]
Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is open to facing off against Paul Craig next after quickly dispatching of Devin Clark to get back in the win column at UFC Vegas 15. Smith went in to his fight against Clark off the back of two tough losses against Glover Teixeira and Alexander Rakic. He admitted […]
Former light-heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is open to facing off against Paul Craig next after quickly dispatching of Devin Clark to get back in the win column at UFC Vegas 15.
Smith went in to his fight against Clark off the back of two tough losses against Glover Teixeira and Alexander Rakic. He admitted at the UFC Vegas 15 post-fight press conference he had almost forgotten what it felt like to win.
“You forget what it feels like to win,” he said. “I remember what a loss in 2006 felt like as an amateur. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself. I don’t know, it’s been a crazy goddamn year, and it hurts even more when you’re losing to people you know you can beat. Had Glover been a three-round fight, I would have won that fight. Had I not gotten the two leg kicks, I’m fairly confident I beat Rakic. Both of those guys did great jobs, they’re both incredible competitors. Sometimes, the shoe just drops like that. It’s just the break-in, and COVID-19, and getting my teeth knocked out, it’s just a mess, so it feels really good back where I belong.”
‘Lionheart’ went on to explain that he was feeling more pressure than ever heading into his fight with Clark.
“I’m not exactly sure why,” he said. “This one was heavy, though. I don’t know if the stakes are higher, or if it’s in the spotlight. When I was back on the regional scene, no one gave a sh*t cared. I’d lost three or four in a row, and they’re like, whatever. But the whole world is watching when it happens now, and you hear the whispers. Where’s his head at? Is he back to soon? Is he healthy? Does he really want this? Is he too focused on the desk? Is he too worried about his pretty teeth. I hear it all, so you don’t want to prove those people right, and that’s where the pressure comes. And then it’s just a spiral down from there, because then you’re worried about everything else.
Paul Craig, who is coming off an emphatic win over Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua took to Twitter to call for a fight with Smith who is down to make it happen.
“I think I saw something about Paul Craig had brought my name up,” Smith said. “That’s a fun matchup. That’s a fun grappling matchup. I love his style. I could listen to his interviews forever. As long as I have enough time to get ready, I’m good.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)
Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 18 card, which emanated from the promotion’s Apex facility in Las Vegas, was hammered by last-minute shakeups and lineup changes until it was nearly unrecognizable from its original version…
Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 18 card, which emanated from the promotion’s Apex facility in Las Vegas, was hammered by last-minute shakeups and lineup changes until it was nearly unrecognizable from its original version…
Don’t count out Anthony Smith in the light heavyweight division just yet. He reminded Devin Clark there are levels to MMA with a slick first-round submission win over the up-and-comer …
Don’t count out Anthony Smith in the light heavyweight division just yet. He reminded Devin Clark there are levels to MMA with a slick first-round submission win over the up-and-comer …
Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith ended up taking the role of Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis, which would’ve brought a heavy-handed slugfest in their fight. The showdown served as the main event of the UFC on ESPN 18 event on Saturday night (Novemb…
Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith ended up taking the role of Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis, which would’ve brought a heavy-handed slugfest in their fight. The showdown served as the main event of the UFC on ESPN 18 event on Saturday night (November 28, 2020) from UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. As seen […]
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis was what every fan envisioned seeing in a heavyweight fight, but that didn’t happen as the fight was pulled. Instead, Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith took place. The two fighters met in a light heavyweight bout on S…
Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis was what every fan envisioned seeing in a heavyweight fight, but that didn’t happen as the fight was pulled. Instead, Devin Clark vs. Anthony Smith took place. The two fighters met in a light heavyweight bout on Saturday night (November 28, 2020) at the UFC on ESPN 18 event from […]