Tag: Anthony Smith

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.”

Anthony Smith reflects on career choices ahead of UFC Singapore: ‘I wanted to be a bigger version of Donald Cerrone

anthony smithFormer UFC light-heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith, reflects on his career ahead of his Octagon return this weekend.  Smith will be looking to earn his first win since 2021 at UFC Fight Night Singapore, in what will be a rematch of that fight, taking on Ryan Spann. While his latest outings have been less than […]

anthony smith

Former UFC light-heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith, reflects on his career ahead of his Octagon return this weekend. 

Smith will be looking to earn his first win since 2021 at UFC Fight Night Singapore, in what will be a rematch of that fight, taking on Ryan Spann. While his latest outings have been less than encouraging, Smith has enjoyed a successful career in the UFC.

Smith has gone 11-8 with the promotion and has fought consistently and against the toughest opposition possible – challenging Jon Jones for his 205lb title back in March of 2019. Lionheart’ holds wins over the likes of Alexander Gustafsson, Rashad Evans and Volkan Oezdemir and half of his losses with the UFC have came to either former champions, or former title challengers.

Anthony Smith reflects on career mindset

Smith is more than willing to face anyone, regardless of circumstances and clearly takes pride in this mindset. Talking to ESPN, Smith discussed this and would draw a comparison to UFC legend, Donald Cerrone. 

“I’ve just always had the mindset that if you wanna be the champion you’ve gotta be able to beat everybody,” Smith explained. “And I haven’t done that up to this point, I’ve had some hiccups. Listen man, here’s my biggest mistake. I’ve always said that I wanted to be like the bigger version of Donald Cerrone. Like I’ll fight anybody, anytime, anyplace.” (H/T MMA News)

While the mindset is commentable, Smith has concluded that it may have been to the detriment of his career.

“I’ve lived up to that. I’ll take all comers, I’ll fight lower-ranked guys, I’ll fight higher-ranked guys, I’ll fight on short notice,” Smith continued.  “I’ll fight across the world, it doesn’t matter. What I didn’t take into account is maybe I’ve absorbed some of the inconsistencies that Donald Cerrone’s seen at times, where I think sometimes I show up and I can beat anybody in the world and sometimes I’m not as consistent. That’s really my issue man. I don’t really care who the opponent is, I’m just worried about trying to be as consistent as possible.”

Anthony Smith talks to ESPN

How do you think Anthony Smith will do this weekend?

Conor McGregor’s conduct on TUF 31 questioned: ‘He’s kind of whining, complaining, throwing tantrums’

Conor McGregor conduct on TUF 31 criticized he's whining complaining throwing tantrums UFCFormer two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has been heavily edited during this season of The Ultimate Fighter 31 according to light heavyweight contender, Anthony Smith – who claims footage shows the Dubliner in a rather unfavorable light. McGregor, who has served as opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 this season – taking on Michael […]

Conor McGregor conduct on TUF 31 criticized he's whining complaining throwing tantrums UFC

Former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor has been heavily edited during this season of The Ultimate Fighter 31 according to light heavyweight contender, Anthony Smith – who claims footage shows the Dubliner in a rather unfavorable light.

McGregor, who has served as opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31 this season – taking on Michael Chandler, withthe duo expected to fight at the welterweight in their next respective fights.

Conor McGregor has yet to land a victory on this season of TUF

Making his return to the reality television show following a 2015 appearance opposite former WEC featherweight champion and former UFC bantamweight title challenger, Urijah Faber, leaked footage last week appeared to show Conor McGregor falling to 0-6 this season, with Straight Blast Gym teammate, Lee Hammond suffering a second round guillotine choke loss to Kurt Holobaugh. 

And according to Smith, McGregor – who engaged in a tense face-off and physical altercation with Chandler off the back of Hammond’s loss on this week’s episode, has been cast in a bad light due to editing of the show.

“I also don’t think that this season of The Ultimate Fighter 31 is doing him (Conor McGregor) very well,” Anthony Smith said on an episode of Believe You Me. “I think people are getting annoyed by him and that’s not necessarily his fault. It’s a lot of editing, you know what I mean, I just don’t think he’s being portrayed, he looks like a great coach but it’s also making him look like a baby. Like he’s kind of of whining, complaining, throwing tantrums.” (H/T MMA News)

In the midst of a two-fight losing skid, McGregor dropped a January 2021 knockout loss to former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In July of that year in the pair’s subsequent trilogy rubber match, McGregor fractured his left tibia and fibula in the opening frame, suffering a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO defeat. 

Jamahal Hill picked to beat Alex Pereira in potential UFC title fight: ‘It’s a matchup thing, though’

Jamahal Hill picked to beat Alex Pereira it a matchup thing though UFCExpected to attempt his first defense of the undisputed light heavyweight title before the close of the year, Jamahal Hill has been picked to likely hand former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira a loss in a potential future championship showdown. Hill, the first product of Dana White’s Contender Series to strike gold under the banner […]

Jamahal Hill picked to beat Alex Pereira it a matchup thing though UFC

Expected to attempt his first defense of the undisputed light heavyweight title before the close of the year, Jamahal Hill has been picked to likely hand former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira a loss in a potential future championship showdown.

Hill, the first product of Dana White’s Contender Series to strike gold under the banner of the UFC, managed to do so back in January at UFC 283 in Brazil, defeating former champion and Alex Pereira’s compatriot, Glover Teixeira in the pair’s vacant title fight.

Expected to return to the Octagon – potentially in September of October of this year, Illinois native, Hill has been tipped to fight former division champion, Jiri Prochazka in his first title defense – with the Czech Republic native vacating his title back in December of last year after suffering a catastrophic shoulder injury.

Jamahal Hill tipped to defeat Alex Pereira in future title fight

And while the surging champion is already preoccupied with Prochazka, he has been picked to solidly defeat former champion, Pereira – if they ever share the Octagon.

“I think Jamahal Hill beats him (Alex Pereira) too,” Anthony Smith told Ariel Helwani on The MMa Hour. “It’s a matchup thing, though. It’s a matchup thing. There’s a lot of guys at light heavyweight that he’ll beat and could look really great doing it. Jan Blachowicz is tough.”

For now, however, Pereira is slated to make a light heavyweight division debut at UFC 291 in July, taking on former division champion, Jan Blachowicz, and according to Smith, the Brazilian could also struggle with him – before any title fight.

“Again, we’re talking about leg kicks here – Jan Blachowicz might be the best kick defender in the entire UFC, and I’ve been saying that for a long time,” Smith explained. “But, if you go back and even watch the (Israel) Adesnaya fight, it all starts with the leg kicks.” 

Anthony Smith disappointed in MMA fans: ‘You get to a certain level, then they hate you’

Anthony SmithThe beloved Anthony Smith is seemingly feeling a bit underappreciated as evidenced by his recent comments toward MMA fans and the sport in general. ‘Lionheart’ is a veteran of the sport and is known for his extreme toughness, versatility, and fight IQ. Currently, on a 0-2 skid, this is immediately following his impressive 3-0 streak […]

Anthony Smith

The beloved Anthony Smith is seemingly feeling a bit underappreciated as evidenced by his recent comments toward MMA fans and the sport in general.

‘Lionheart’ is a veteran of the sport and is known for his extreme toughness, versatility, and fight IQ. Currently, on a 0-2 skid, this is immediately following his impressive 3-0 streak against the likes of Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute, and Ryan Spann. Back-to-back losses at the hands of Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker surely haven’t helped with his morale, and now, Smith has leveled with the community and said some very sad but very accurate things.

It does put into question where Smith is mentally. In his last fight against Walker at UFC on ABC 4, cameras picked up ‘Lionheart’ telling his opponent: “You’re attacking my family.” Which, is pretty bizarre to say and could be misconstrued in several different ways. Maybe Smith was setting a mental scenario forth where he was defending his family against an attacker, or, maybe he was referencing something that was said behind the scenes, in the cage, or on social media. The true answer, nobody really knows.

It is worth saying that Anthony Smith did in fact have to protect his family against a home invasion years ago. The experience was no doubt very scary and could have even left the UFC fighter with PTSD. Luckily, ‘Lionheart’ was a trained martial artist, and the home invader was beaten to a bloody pulp and will probably think twice before invading homes again.

Anthony Smith talks about MMA fans and describes the hate he receives from them

Appearing on MMA Fighting’s, The MMA Hour, Smith opened up about his relationship with fans and described how in his opinion, support seemed to be at an all-time low.

“The more popular I get, the more I hate it, to be honest with you,” Smith told Ariel Helwani (H/T BJPenn.com). “Maybe popular is the wrong word. The more, maybe, recognizable?”

“I don’t know. I don’t even know how to state it,” Anthony Smith continued. “It’s just, everyone outside of this whole circus show makes it really miserable for the people inside of it. Maybe I’m one of the few guys that will be honest about that. The fans used to be the thing that drove you. They’d push you through and they would support you. And once you get to a certain level, then they hate you.”

“It sucks. It sucks because you get s*** on way more the higher up you grow in this sport,” Anthony Smith finished. While the tone of this is very depressing, it’s undoubtedly true. MMA fans are known for being very toxic and obnoxious at times, and there’s no doubt that Smith has probably received hate mail online and in real life many times.

While a lot of these so-called “fans” might want to hate on him, we can only hope that Anthony Smith will one day feel the love that the majority of the community undoubtedly feels for him.

What do you think about Anthony Smith’s comments?

Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith share thoughts on Conor McGregor sexual assault accusations

Conor McGregorMichael Bisping and Anthony Smith are a little skeptical regarding the disturbing accusations being lobbed at Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor. Earlier this week, TMZ Sports revealed that Conor McGregor allegedly sexually assaulted a woman following Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami. McGregor, along with security staff, is accused of luring a woman […]

Conor McGregor

Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith are a little skeptical regarding the disturbing accusations being lobbed at Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor.

Earlier this week, TMZ Sports revealed that Conor McGregor allegedly sexually assaulted a woman following Game 4 of the NBA Finals in Miami. McGregor, along with security staff, is accused of luring a woman into a bathroom inside the Kaseya Center where McGregor reportedly assaulted her in a series of violent and disgusting acts that you can read about in detail right here.

Though the investigation is ongoing, recently released video footage brings some of the alleged victims’ accusations into question. Not everyone is quite sure what to make of the situation, including Michael Bisping and Anthony Smith who discussed the claims during a recent episode of their Believe You Me podcast.

“I’ve gotta pick my words carefully, choose my words carefully,” Bisping said. “Because there is a lot of real accusations. And I’m not saying this isn’t real. I’m just saying that when I read that statement it just seems a little weird…Here’s the real parts. McGregor broke his leg – he’s in the handicapped stall, makes sense…That part stacks up. But hold on, are we supposed to believe that McGregor’s security guards are now in the business of abducting women?”

Conor McGregor broke his leg in July 2021 during the opening round of his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor has seemingly recovered from the injury as he has been seen routinely training and touting his “titanium leg” during his run on The Ultimate Fighter.

Anthony Smith Shares Michael Bisping’s Skepticism Over Latest Conor McGregor Accusations

Sharing his thoughts on the situation, Anthony Smith believes that Conor McGregor going into a bathroom stall with some random woman is not all that unlikely given his status as a combat sports megastar, but admittedly has a hard time believing that the security staff for both the NBA and the Miami heat are in the business of aiding in sexual assaults.

“This is me speaking straight to Conor,” Smith began. “Because I’ve gotten myself into some really weird situations…Nothing like this, but things that weren’t true. What I had to learn was that I needed to do a better job being the position that I am in the world…My advice to Conor would be stop putting yourself in positions to be taken advantage of. Don’t be in bathrooms with chicks. Do I doubt that Conor would be in a bathroom with a chick? I don’t doubt that for a second. Do I think that he’s having NBA and Heat security help him sexually assault some random girl? I highly doubt that” (h/t MMA News).

A new report revealed that Conor McGregor and the woman were partying at a nightclub inside the Kaseya Center before leaving together and ultimately ending up in the bathroom. Video footage released by TMZ shows McGregor leading the alleged victim into the bathroom, but nobody appears to follow the pair inside, though multiple members of the security staff on hand can be seen barricading the door.

“My client was under the belief they were leaving and going to the Four Seasons Hotel, as Conor had previously asked her to join him at his hotel room,” attorney Ariel Mitchell said in a statement on behalf of the accuser. “The man with the braids then stopped at the door of the bathroom, when Conor grabbed my client (as seen in the video). My client believed they were leaving, but instead, Conor took her into the restroom.”