Tag: Anthony Smith

Luke Rockhold Mocks UFC Booking Jon Jones Vs. Anthony Smith

Luke Rockhold doesn’t agree with the No. 3-ranked Anthony Smith getting the next crack at Jon Jones’ light heavyweight title. Rockhold, a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, seems to be done with the 185-pound division. He has been hinting at that very thing for the past several months. Injuries prevented Rockhold from competing most of 2018 […]

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Luke Rockhold doesn’t agree with the No. 3-ranked Anthony Smith getting the next crack at Jon Jones’ light heavyweight title.

Rockhold, a former Strikeforce middleweight champion, seems to be done with the 185-pound division. He has been hinting at that very thing for the past several months. Injuries prevented Rockhold from competing most of 2018 but the American Kickboxing Academy fighter appears ready to return to action this year.

As for when Rockhold does finally make his debut in the light heavyweight division, he’s aiming for early April. What does not seem clear, however, is whom he will be facing. Several of the top light heavyweights currently have fights scheduled, but he only wants to battle one of the best.

“I was shooting for late March, but we’re looking like early April now,” Rockhold said on The MMA Hour. “It just depends on what opponents fall where they may. I know Jon really wanted another fight really quick, for some reason. So he got this Anthony Smith fight [at UFC 235], so we’ll see.

“I know a couple of the other top guys are matched up. I think Thiago Santos and Jan Blachowicz [are matched up]. Corey Anderson looked decent the other night [at UFC 232] too. I’m looking for a top guy.”

Having already reached the heights of the middleweight division, Rockhold believes he will have a much easier time ascending his new home. Saying the division was “there for the taking” on social media.

“Anthony Smith just got a title shot,” mocked Rockhold. “He couldn’t sniff a top 10 at middleweight… [Smith’s fight against Jones] will be over in the less than a round. That’s why I don’t understand why they made this fight.”

Never one to bite his tongue, Rockhold did not hold back when addressing his fellow-205-pound-fighters.

“[Anderson] could last a few rounds maybe [against Jones],” said Rockhold. “I think Jan is probably one the toughest guys there. Just a tough durable guy. Not very skilled in so many ways, but durable.”

Rockhold then turned his attention to three-time title challenger Alexander Gustafsson. The former Strikeforce and UFC champ gave Gus credit but it looks like Rockhold no longer has a desire to fight the Swedish fighter. Rockhold is taking a much more strategic approach to his matchmaking.

“Alex is decent,” said Rockhold. “He obviously has some holes in his game on the ground. So, we’ll see where it lies. We’ll see where he falls back in and what the UFC wants to do. Obviously, I want to fight a guy on his way to the title and make a statement. But, it just depends on what falls. There’s a few options. We’re talking to the UFC and we’ll see. We’ll see what falls on the right date. I’m looking for one fight to put me where I need to be.”

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UFC’s Anthony Smith Believes He’ll Be A World Champion Or Die Trying

For Anthony Smith, there is no in-between when it comes to success inside the Octagon. Smith is expected to be next in line for a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight gold. If all goes according to plan, then Smith will ch…

For Anthony Smith, there is no in-between when it comes to success inside the Octagon. Smith is expected to be next in line for a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight gold. If all goes according to plan, then Smith will challenge champion Jon Jones at UFC 235 on March 2. Smith […]

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Archives: Anthony Smith Would Fight Luke Rockhold At Walmart (2019)

As of this writing, Anthony Smith never was able to get a hold of Luke Rockhold at Walmart. But here’s a story where he expressed a willingness to do just that, even naming his preferred isle for the desired altercation.

The following article is p…

As of this writing, Anthony Smith never was able to get a hold of Luke Rockhold at Walmart. But here’s a story where he expressed a willingness to do just that, even naming his preferred isle for the desired altercation.

The following article is published in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

On This Day Three Years Ago…

[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 8, 2019, 6:57 PM]

Headline: Anthony Smith Would Fight ‘A**hole’ Luke Rockhold At Walmart

Author: Jon Fuentes

Anthony “Lionheart” Smith is currently expected to be Jon Jones’ next challenger for the 205-pound title. However, it appears he could already have another opponent at light heavyweight lined up as well.

Recently, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold took aim at Smith. Hyping his eventual jump to 205 pounds, Rockhold is also eying a fight with Jones. However, with talk of Jones likely facing Smith next, Rockhold said “Bones” should quit wasting his time with fighters like “Lionheart.”

Speaking to Luke Thomas on Sirius XM Fight Nation Smith got the opportunity to respond. Smith is unsure what he did to provoke Rockhold to speak his name, but one thing is for sure, he certainly isn’t a fan (via MMA Mania):

“For Luke to come and start talking about me, first of all, you’ve been knocked out two of your last three times. Yoel Romero almost f*cking decapitated him. He’s coming off a loss and he can’t even make it to his next fight,” Smith said.

“So who is he to talk about anybody else in the UFC? He’s the most arrogant prick I’ve ever seen or heard speak in my life. And I’ve never done anything to that dude. I’ve never even literally shook his hand. I just don’t know where his sense of arrogance comes from.

“I fought four times in 13 months or something, got three bonuses. What are you doing? You’re not doing sh*t. You’re sitting on the sidelines, limping around.”

Fight Rockhold At Walmart

For the time being, Smith will focus on preparing for a likely title shot against Jon Jones. But if he were ever to run into Rockhold in public, say somewhere like Walmart perhaps, there could be trouble:

“I don’t understand how you can just disparage someone so bad that, number one, has done nothing to you, and number two, is highly-regarded as one of the hardest-working and most devoted guys in the sport,” Smith said.

“I’ve never attacked him, I just don’t get it. I will fight that guy anywhere. I will fight that guy in aisle five of Walmart.”

What do you think about Smith saying he’d fight Rockhold at Walmart?

Continue Reading Archives: Anthony Smith Would Fight Luke Rockhold At Walmart (2019) at MMA News.

Anthony Smith Amazed By Fan Reaction To Jon Jones Fight

Anthony Smith amazed by the reaction and assumption by fight fans around the world once his next fight was officially announced. Earlier this week it was revealed by the UFC that he would challenge Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title. This fight is slated to go down at the UFC 235 PPV event. […]

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Anthony Smith amazed by the reaction and assumption by fight fans around the world once his next fight was officially announced. Earlier this week it was revealed by the UFC that he would challenge Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title. This fight is slated to go down at the UFC 235 PPV event.

The rising title contender believes that most of the title defenses that Jones has done are decided before he steps into the Octagon. Thus, he’s amazed by people thinking Jones would finish him in the first round.

“I would imagine every fight that he’s had since (Lyoto) Machida,” Smith told MMAjunkie. “I think it’s goddamn amazing that all these people are assuming that if me and Jon Jones fight. He’s going to get me out of there in one round.”

The UFC 235 pay-per-view event is set to take place on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will air on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET. The preliminary card will air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET and the TV network’s streaming service, ESPN +.

His Belief

Smith believes that he can find the chin of the UFC light heavyweight champ. The reason behind his belief comes down to the fact that he doesn’t put Jones on a pedestal. This is a difference between him and other fighters.

“I just don’t care,” he said. “Throw whatever you want. If I’m up, I’m moving forward and we’re fighting. No one thinks they have the answer for Jon Jones. I don’t think that I really need the answer. I just think I need to do what I always do. I don’t have a style, or gameplan. I just go in there and fight.

“Jon is one of those guys that thrives in danger. I think that’s going to work against him at some point in time. “Eventually, someone’s going to catch up to Jon. His game is too crazy. You can’t be reckless forever, and I think I’m the guy.”

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UFC Made Right Call Booking Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith For UFC 235

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has not fought very often the last couple of years because of his issues with USADA, but 2019 appears like it could be a big year for the three-time champ. TMZ reported over the weekend that Jones, who just knoc…

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has not fought very often the last couple of years because of his issues with USADA, but 2019 appears like it could be a big year for the three-time champ. TMZ reported over the weekend that Jones, who just knocked out Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 232, will make a […]

The post UFC Made Right Call Booking Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith For UFC 235 appeared first on MMA News.

Jon Jones Vs. Anthony Smith Targeted For UFC 235

Jon Jones is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Smith at UFC 235. Contingent upon a license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). The news broke late last night at UFC President Dana White confirmed the news with TMZ. As it stands now the promotions plan is to book Jones’ first […]

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Jon Jones is set to defend his light heavyweight title against Anthony Smith at UFC 235. Contingent upon a license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

The news broke late last night at UFC President Dana White confirmed the news with TMZ. As it stands now the promotions plan is to book Jones’ first title defense against Smith at the March 2 PPV at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Multiple news outlets including LowkickMMA confirmed with Smith that he has indeed signed a bout agreement to fight Jones. The champions camp were not immediately reachable for comment (per MMAjunkie).

This fight is of course contingent on Jones appearing before the NSAC to address his latest “atypical” drug test result that sent UFC 232 from Nevada to Califonia.

Since moving up to light heavyweight Smith has rolled off three straight wins, all finishes. He and Jones engaged in some on-air chatter after Jones reclaimed his 205-pound title at UFC 235. This fight comes as a bit of a surprise for Smith as he had previously stated he believed Jones was going to angle for a bigger money fight.

Jones had been hinting of a quick turn around fight on social media. For Jones a quick start to 2019 is much appracited. Since 2015, the champ has only two offcial decsions in the Octagon.

For now anyway it looks as though a third fght with heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is on hold.

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