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Anthony Smith Afraid Of Being ‘Left Out In The Cold’ In LW Division

Anthony Smith has a few issues with the status of the light heavyweight division.

There is a new champion at the top of the UFC light heavyweight division and that has shaken up the top five. With Glover Teixeira now holding the belt that frees up…

Anthony Smith has a few issues with the status of the light heavyweight division.

There is a new champion at the top of the UFC light heavyweight division and that has shaken up the top five. With Glover Teixeira now holding the belt that frees up former champ Jan Blachowicz. There are a few possibilities for Blachowicz but he has mentioned wanting contender Aleksander Rakic next. With Jiri Prochazka most likely next for the champ, this might leave Anthony Smith on the outside looking in.

Smith was a guest on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast to talk about his concerns.

“I’m afraid because I’m indifferent [about who I fight next], I’m going to get left out in the cold,” Smith said. “It would be a real sh*tty deal if Jiri Prochazka gets the title shot and then Rakic and Blachowicz fight each other and that kind of leaves me sitting out with my hands out.”

Smith’s last time out in the UFC ended in a victory over Ryan Spann back in September. Smith has won his last three outings and is currently ranked fourth behind Blachowicz, Rakic, and Prochazka. The last time Smith lost was against Rakic, and that is one fight he would like to get back.

“Listen, I’ve got a lot of respect for Aleksandar Rakic and what he’s done and I have a lot of respect for his skills and abilities, but he’s not that well-liked,” Smith explained. “He’s not the UFC’s favorite guy. Beating him is kind of its own reward, personally. Because I’m not sure how highly people, the powers-that-be, would look upon that win. Because he’s not super exciting for as big as an athlete as he is, and impressive as his physique is, he doesn’t fight like that. So he doesn’t have a fan appealing style.”

Smith is getting call-outs as well, but maybe not the ones he wants. He is a former title challenger and with one more big win could be right back in line to challenge for the belt again.

Who do you think Anthony Smith should face in his next UFC bout?

Continue Reading Anthony Smith Afraid Of Being ‘Left Out In The Cold’ In LW Division at MMA News.

Anthony Smith Explains Why Rakic Doesn’t Deserve To Fight Blachowicz

Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic were poised to meet in a potential rematch in December, after Smith made the callout following his impressive first-round submission win over Ryan Spann. However, ‘Lionheart’ suffered a knee injury and a staph infection which is going to keep him on the side-lines until early 2022. Just recently it came […]

Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic were poised to meet in a potential rematch in December, after Smith made the callout following his impressive first-round submission win over Ryan Spann.

However, ‘Lionheart’ suffered a knee injury and a staph infection which is going to keep him on the side-lines until early 2022.

Just recently it came to news the UFC is potentially looking to book a bout between former champion Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic, leaving Smith to just stand by a watch, something that didn’t sit well with him.

“I’m afraid because I’m indifferent (about who I fight next), I’m going to get left out in the cold,” Smith said during an appearance on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “It would be a real sh*tty deal if Jiri Prochazka gets the title shot and then Rakic and Blachowicz fight each other and that kind of leaves me sitting out with my hands out.”

Smith has been trying to rematch with the Austrian ever since he was beaten by him back in August of 2020. Anthony Smith also doesn’t think it is fair for Rakic to be in the position he is when he is turning down fights.

“I know for a fact he’s turned down several fights since his last fight with Thiago Santos, it would be super unfortunate if Rakic gets to sit around and turn down the fights he doesn’t like and gets the biggest fight available in the division.

“That would hurt my feelings, to be honest with you, especially being a guy that takes every single fight offered and the ones that nobody wants.

“Nobody wants to fight Ryan Spann. It’s a tough out. He’s just tough. Whether you think you’re better than him in every aspect of the game, he has that equalizer right hand that just changes the whole trajectory of the fight.

“Jimmy Crute is not a fun fight. There’s nothing fun about that dude. There’s nothing fun preparing for that dude, and I mean that with the utmost respect because of how tough he is.

“No one wants to fight Devin Clark, cause it’s just a tough fight for no reason. You don’t get a lot out of it, and it’s a tough ass dude.”

Anthony Smith wants to take on the former champ Blachowicz

Smith himself is currently riding an impressive three-fight winning streak with all those wins coming via stoppage. Although he would love to run it back with Rakic and get that win over him, he sees more value in facing off against the former champ Jan Blachowicz.

“Listen, I’ve got a lot of respect for Aleksandar Rakic and what he’s done, and I have a lot of respect for his skills and abilities, but he’s not that well-liked.

“He’s not the UFC’s favourite guy. Beating him is kind of its own reward, personally. Because I’m not sure how highly people, the powers-that-be, would look upon that win.

“He’s not super exciting for as big as an athlete as he is, and impressive as his physique is, he doesn’t fight like that. So, he doesn’t have a fan appealing style.

“The people in his home country love the hell out of the guy, but everyone else can kind of take him or leave him. The win over Blachowicz looks better. The Rakic one makes me feel better.” (Transcribed by MMAFighting.com)

Only time will tell for Anthony Smith on how the future of the light heavyweight division plays out, but despite this bump in the road for the American, whoever he does face on his return is in for one hell of a fight.

Who would you like to see Anthony Smith take on when he returns from injury?

REPORT | Jan Blachowicz Vs. Aleksandar Rakic In The Works

A light heavyweight showdown between former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz and rising contender Aleksandar Rakic is in the works for a March 26 Fight Night main event. This was first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. Blachowicz had been rumored to be the target of fellow light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, but it sounds like […]

A light heavyweight showdown between former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz and rising contender Aleksandar Rakic is in the works for a March 26 Fight Night main event.

This was first reported by MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.

Blachowicz had been rumored to be the target of fellow light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith, but it sounds like negotiations never materialized. Now, the UFC has allegedly opted to pair the former champion with Rakic, who is coming off of back-to-back wins over Smith and Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz most recently lost his light heavyweight title to Glover Teixeira by second-round submission at UFC 267. It was a disappointing performance from Blachowicz who defended his belt against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya earlier this year with relative ease.

Blachowicz earned the vacant title by defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 by second-round knockout.

A Win Over Aleksandar Rakic Could Put Jan Blachowicz Back In The Title Picture

If this matchup ends up getting made, it’s a very important fight for the 205-pound division. Blachowicz is looking to get another shot at the light heavyweight belt, while Rakic is looking to prove he deserves the next title shot.

Teixeira is widely expected to face Jiri Prochazka for his first title defense as champion sometime in early 2022. The winner of that fight would more than likely face the winner of Blachowicz/Rakic next if the fight comes to fruition.

Blachowicz is looking for vengeance after recently saying he didn’t feel like himself in losing to Teixeira. He went as far as pointing out that anyone could’ve beat him that night, including Teixeira.

A Blachowicz vs. Rakic matchup apparently is in the cards, but it remains to be seen if negotiations will move forward. If it happens, it’s a meaningful fight for both.

Who wins the planned Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic fight?

Blachowicz vs. Raki? March Bout Scraped, Potentially Moved To May

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed today via his substack page that Jan Blachowicz has withdrawn from his March 26 bout against Aleksandar Raki?. According to the Thursday report, the hope is to reschedule the bout for May. Former Blachowicz’s reign at the top of the 205-pound mountain came to a crashing halt at UFC 267 […]

Continue Reading Blachowicz vs. Raki? March Bout Scraped, Potentially Moved To May at MMA News.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed today via his substack page that Jan Blachowicz has withdrawn from his March 26 bout against Aleksandar Raki?.

According to the Thursday report, the hope is to reschedule the bout for May. Former

Blachowicz’s reign at the top of the 205-pound mountain came to a crashing halt at UFC 267 in October. Having won the vacant title in memorable fashion against Dominick Reyes, and successfully defended it once by handing middleweight king Israel Adesanya his first loss in MMA, the Polish star faced the test of Glover Teixeira in Abu Dhabi.

At 42 years of age, it was the Brazilian’s final chance to have UFC gold wrapped around his waist. With a second-round rear-naked choke, Teixeira dethroned Blachowicz and did exactly that.

Given his prior form, which had seen him build a five-fight winning streak that dated back to a loss against Thiago Santos in 2019, many had expected Blachowicz to send Teixeira into retirement and move onto a European clash with Ji?í Procházka. Having seen those plans collapse, the 38-year-old will be looking to rebound back to the belt in 2022.

During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Blachowicz discussed his plans for 2022, revealing his intentions of returning to the Octagon in the year’s first quarter and discussed a potential bout against Raki?.

“Yeah, it’s good fight, you know. He’s good, he’s strong, you know, young fighter. All fighters in the UFC, top 10, top five, you know, they are amazing fighters and (it’s a) pleasure for me to fight against all of them. Raki? is good for the next fight, but we will see.”

If this pivotal light heavyweight bout gets rescheduled or either fighter gets a new opponent, MMA News will bring you the scoop.

Continue Reading Blachowicz vs. Raki? March Bout Scraped, Potentially Moved To May at MMA News.

Jan Blachowicz Explains What Went Wrong At UFC 267

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz says anyone could’ve beat him at UFC 267, not just Glover Teixeira. Blachowicz shockingly fell to Teixeira in the main event of UFC 267 by second-round submission, after appearing hesitant with his striking in the opening minutes of the fight. After suffering some hard ground-and-pound at the end […]

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz says anyone could’ve beat him at UFC 267, not just Glover Teixeira.

Blachowicz shockingly fell to Teixeira in the main event of UFC 267 by second-round submission, after appearing hesitant with his striking in the opening minutes of the fight. After suffering some hard ground-and-pound at the end of Round 1, Blachowicz was choked out by the veteran Teixeira in Round 2.

It was a surprising win for Teixeira, who was seen as a relative afterthought at this stage in his career by many. During a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Blachowicz explained what led to him losing his 205-pound title.

“I shouldn’t have fought that night. What can I do?” Blachowicz said. “I can just get back to the training, back to the gym. Trying harder and just trying to get the belt back. That’s it. I’m not gonna be sad because I don’t want to waste my life on something like this… Do a little bit of break, was on a vacation. That [UFC 267] was just a bad day for me. I think I would have lost to anybody that night. I don’t want to explain myself. It wasn’t my night you know. Sometimes I need something like this. I need to take one step back to do two forward. I learned something from this fight and I’m gonna be a better fighter.”

Jan Blachowicz’s Loss To Glover Teixeira Snapped A Five Fight Winning Streak

Blachowicz earned the vacant light heavyweight title over Dominick Reyes at UFC 253, knocking him out in the second round of the bout. He would then defend his title against middleweight champ Israel Adesanya before ultimately losing it to Teixeira.

Blachowicz is targeting a return to the octagon sometime in the first quarter of 2022, with many possible opponents to match up with. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith has called for a fight with Blachowicz, and the timing would make a lot of sense for both sides.

Teixeira will most likely face Jiri Prochazka for his first title defense at a later date.

What do you think should be next for Jan Blachowicz?

Glover Teixeira Not Shocked By Quick Jan Blachowicz Tap

Newly crowned UFC light-heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira wasn’t surprised by his sensational performance against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267. The 42-year Teixeira grabbed the admiration of fans and fighters alike after becoming UFC champion following a 19-year long career. The title came after a dominant performance over Blachowicz where Teixeira would secure the win over […]

Newly crowned UFC light-heavyweight champion, Glover Teixeira wasn’t surprised by his sensational performance against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267.

The 42-year Teixeira grabbed the admiration of fans and fighters alike after becoming UFC champion following a 19-year long career. The title came after a dominant performance over Blachowicz where Teixeira would secure the win over the favorite in the second round via submission.

The way in which Teixeira managed to run through Blachowicz who had been on an extremely impressive win streak was surprising to most but not the Brazilian.

“This is not gonna be an easy fight but I’m ready. I’m ready for whatever comes, there’s a man across the octagon with me and I have to beat him I can be world champion tonight,” Teixeira said on The MMA Hour. I didn’t think I was (going to) dominate and take him down that easy, again easy with respect, it was a quick takedown you know what I mean.”

Teixeira controlled Blachowicz for most of the first round and mid-way through the second, once Teixeira secured the takedown wasted no flattening out and submitting Blachowicz.

“So I stretch him to the ground, my cup is pressing on his back.” Teixeira told Ariel Helwani. “That’s a very uncomfortable pressure there and as soon as I put the hand, he tapped. “But I knew he wasn’t gonna go anywhere, so he probably knew that too.”

Glover Teixeira’s Long Road To UFC Gold

Teixeira’s title win comes seven years after he first challenged for the belt, when in 2014 when he took on Jon Jones and lost by decision. After this loss, which would be his first in the UFC, Teixeira would trade wins and losses with the best of the best in the organization, fighting the likes of Anthony Johnson, Alexander Gustafsson, and Rashad Evans.

Before his 2019 bout with Karl Roberson, Teixiera was 4-5 since the Jones fight and was heading towards the end of his career. Teixeira shared his thoughts about this time in his career, he said.

“For me not to be a champion, its missing something. I’m gonna do this, one last stretch I’m 40 years old, 39 years old I’ve got to start, like really focus on my camp off camp as well but just say you know what I’m gonna do this last stretch.”

Teixeira is now the champion on a six-fight win streak and took out top contenders Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos on his way to being the oldest person to win a UFC title for the first time.

“I was missing the belt, one day I could say I’m UFC champ and I was best in the world at one point, I can always say that”

Were you shocked to see Glover Teixeira submit Jan Blachowicz?