Anthony Smith slams door on MMA retirement following UFC Charlotte loss: ‘I’m not going out like that’

Anthony Smith shuts down talk of retirement following UFC Charlotte loss not going out like thatDespite speculation that his mixed martial arts career was currently in limbo off the back of last weekend’s one-sided unanimous decision loss to Johnny Walker, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has denied he is contemplating walking away from the UFC, and the sport as a whole. Smith, who co-headlined UFC Charlotte in his […]

Anthony Smith shuts down talk of retirement following UFC Charlotte loss not going out like that

Despite speculation that his mixed martial arts career was currently in limbo off the back of last weekend’s one-sided unanimous decision loss to Johnny Walker, one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith has denied he is contemplating walking away from the UFC, and the sport as a whole.

Smith, who co-headlined UFC Charlotte in his return from an ankle injury suffered against Magomed Ankalaev back in July of last year, suffered a rather comprehensive unanimous judging loss to Brazilian contender, Walker, slipping to his second consecutive defeat and out of the top-5 rankings at 205lbs.

Appearing eager to remove his gloves inside the Octagon following his disappointing loss to Straight Blast Gym staple, Walker, Nebraska native, Smith was touted as set to weigh up his future in the sport by UFC president, Dana White.

“Anthony (Smith) – I thought he was gonna retire too,” Dana White said. “I think after the fight, he told some in the back that he wants to think about it [retirement]. But I don’t know. He always comes to fight – he got busted up, he got hurt, and, you know, he did was he does, he toughs it out. Looked like that fight was a couple leg kicks away from being over. And if Johnny Walker would have put the pressure on him, he probably would have got the finish.”

Anthony Smith addresses his immediate fighting future

However, according to the light heavyweight contender, extra tight hand wraps led him to his attempt to de-glove at UFC Charlotte, not an impending retirement announcement.

“My hand wraps were really tight,” Anthony Smith said on his Sirius XM show. “No, come on, I’m not going out like that.” 

“If I ever retire, it’ll be one of two ways,” Anthony Smith explained. “I’ll fade into obscurity and you guys will go, ‘Damn, I haven’t seen Anthony in a while,’ or it will be being drug out of there kicking and screaming.” 

Dana White slams Johnny Walker’s performance at UFC Charlotte: ‘He didn’t really wow anybody’

Dana White slams Johnny Walker UFC Charlotte he didn't wow anyoneUFC president Dana White seemed unimpressed with light-heavyweight contender, Johnny Walker. Last night, Walker earned himself a third win on the bounce, a feat he has not achieved since first entering the promotion. The Brazilian would win a decision over former title challenger, Anthony Smith, hurting and dropping the American in their 15-minute contest. However, […]

Dana White slams Johnny Walker UFC Charlotte he didn't wow anyone

UFC president Dana White seemed unimpressed with light-heavyweight contender, Johnny Walker.

Last night, Walker earned himself a third win on the bounce, a feat he has not achieved since first entering the promotion. The Brazilian would win a decision over former title challenger, Anthony Smith, hurting and dropping the American in their 15-minute contest.

However, while Walker would walk away with the win he was more composed and patient, producing a less memorable contest compared to some of his past work.

Dana White reacts to Johnny Walker’s win

Following last night’s event in Charlotte, North Carolina, White spoke to the media and when questioned on Walker Vs. Smith did not seem particularly impressed with the winning party.

“Walker didn’t really wow anybody tonight, but he won,” White said. “He was put on the co-main event to kind of shine tonight. He got a ‘W,’ so I guess that’s good.”

“Obviously he’s in there with a very durable, tough guy and a dangerous guy in Smith,” continued White. “But Smith got dropped, was hurt in the first round, and then his leg was gone, and Johnny never went for the finish. Never tried to finish the fight. Just tried to fight safe and get the win.” (H/T MMAFighting)

While White may not be a fan of the performance, Walker should now see himself in the top- five come Monday morning. Walker’s record has been a little spotty since his first promotional loss to Corey Anderson back in 2019, he has found a nice run of form and with the current state of affairs at light-heavyweight, one more big win could see him in a title fight.

Dana White’s post-fight press conference where he discuses Johnny Walker’s win last night over Anthony Smith

Do you agree with Dana White’s comments on Johnny Walker?

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting future following loss to Johnny Walker at UFC Charlotte

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting retirement after UFC Charlotte lossFormer light heavyweight championship challenger, Anthony Smith appeared to be on the verge of calling time on his professional mixed martial arts career following his one-sided unanimous decision loss to Johnny Walker in the co-main event of UFC Charlotte last night. And according to promotional boss, Dana White, the Nebraska native is expected to still […]

Anthony Smith expected to weigh up fighting retirement after UFC Charlotte loss

Former light heavyweight championship challenger, Anthony Smith appeared to be on the verge of calling time on his professional mixed martial arts career following his one-sided unanimous decision loss to Johnny Walker in the co-main event of UFC Charlotte last night. And according to promotional boss, Dana White, the Nebraska native is expected to still contemplate hanging up his gloves from active competition.

Suffering his second consecutive loss in the form of a rather one-sided unanimous decision loss to the #7 ranked light heavyweight contender, Walker, Smith had returned to the Octagon for the first time since suffered a debilitating ankle injury en route to a stoppage loss against recent vacant title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev last summer.

Dealing with a slew of hammering low kicks from Brazilian striker, Walker, Smith appeared on the verge of a stoppage loss in the final moments of the third round, almost finishing the fight near a seated position on the Octagon canvas.

And following the reading of his decision loss, Anthony Smith began to unwrap the tape on his gloves, before taking them off, with those watching and in attendance expecting an impending retirement from the top-5 challenger.

However, failing to secure a post-fight interview with former duel-weight champion, Daniel Cormier as the broadcast rolled onto the main event fight between Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Jailton Almeida, Smith’s future remained firmly up in the air.

Anthony Smith expected to weigh-up immediate fighting future

And according to the above-mentioned, White – who believed Anthony Smith was about to retire from active competition, the former championship challenger informed personnel backstage that he would be weighing up his future in the sport.

“Anthony (Smith) – I thought he was gonna retire too,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC Charlotte. “I think after the fight, he told some in the back that he wants to think about it [retirement]. But I don’t know. He always comes to fight – he got busted up, he got hurt, and, you know, he did was he does, he toughs it out. Looked like that fight was a couple leg kicks away from being over. And if Johnny Walker would have put the pressure on him, he probably would have got the finish.” 

Jailton Almeida eyes UFC heavyweight title fight in 2024, calls for Tai Tuivasa clash following Charlotte win

Jailton Almeida eyes title fight in 2024 calls for Tai Tuivasa fight after UFC Charlotte winOff the back of another standout victory in the main event of UFC Fight Night Charlotte, Brazilian contender, Jailton Almeida believes he’s destined to fight for promotional heavyweight gold as soon as next year, eyeing a fight with Australian favorite, Tai Tuivasa next. Almeida, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, has enjoyed a stunning […]

Jailton Almeida eyes title fight in 2024 calls for Tai Tuivasa fight after UFC Charlotte win

Off the back of another standout victory in the main event of UFC Fight Night Charlotte, Brazilian contender, Jailton Almeida believes he’s destined to fight for promotional heavyweight gold as soon as next year, eyeing a fight with Australian favorite, Tai Tuivasa next.

Almeida, a product of Dana White’s Contender Series, has enjoyed a stunning 15 month stay with the promotion since his debut early last year, last night turning in a dominant opening round rear-naked choke submission win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in his first headliner under the promotion’s banner. 

Improving to 19-2 with his first round submission victory, Almeida landed his fifth consecutive triumph under the banner of the UFC since he debuted back in February of last year.

Jailton Almeida eyes 2024 championship pursuit

Confirming his plans to lure current undisputed heavyweight champion, Jon Jones to a future title fight before the gold holder’s expected retirement later this year, Almeida claimed he would be fighting for championship spoils before the end of next year.

“I’m taking this as a ladder full of steps, and I’m very happy to be looking into the top-10 right now and by the end of the year make it to seventh or sixth,” Jailton Almeida said through a translator during his post-fight media appearance. “Then next year, maybe go and shoot for the title we all dream of.” 

As for his next fight, Almeida suggested a return at UFC 294 in October on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE – calling out heavyweight knockout artist, Tuivasa.

“Of course, UFC Abu Dhabi or UFC Brazil around October,” Jailton Almeida said. “I want Tai Tuivasa. Either he comes to Brazil and feels the energy down there, or perhaps go to Abu Dhabi, where I heard he actually does his camps. So no worries, we can do that. We’ll make the effort and go for him.” 

Ian Machado Garry heralded after UFC Charlotte knockout win: ‘He’s what Paddy Pimblett thinks he is’

Ian Machado Garry receives praise for UFC Charlotte win He's what Paddy Pimblett thinks he isUndefeated welterweight striker, Ian Machado Garry has been showered in praise following his stunning opening round win over Daniel Rodriguez on the main card of UFC Fight Night Charlotte last night, with social media users claiming the Dubliner is in pure form, what lightweigh prospect, Paddy Pimblett believes he is. Garry, 25, is likely set […]

Ian Machado Garry receives praise for UFC Charlotte win He's what Paddy Pimblett thinks he is

Undefeated welterweight striker, Ian Machado Garry has been showered in praise following his stunning opening round win over Daniel Rodriguez on the main card of UFC Fight Night Charlotte last night, with social media users claiming the Dubliner is in pure form, what lightweigh prospect, Paddy Pimblett believes he is.

Garry, 25, is likely set to enter the welterweight top-15 rankings come Tuesday next week, stopping the current placeholder, Rodriguez with a stunning first round high-kick and ground strikes knockout in the opening round of their main card clash last night in North Carolina.

The victory came as Ian Machado Garry, a former Cage Warriors titleholder, fifth on the bounce in the promotion, improving him to 12-0 as a professional to boot off the back of triumphs against Jordan Williams, Darian Weeks, Gabe Green, and Kenan Song to boot. 

Earning a Performance of the Night bonus for his stunning efforts to become the first to dispatch Californian kickboxer, Rodriguez with strikes last night, Ian Machado Garry called for a showdown with perennial division contender, Neil Magny following his first round stoppage win.

Receiving a slew of props off the back of his first round win last night, Ian Machado Garry – who had predicted a high kick stoppage win over Rodriguez six weeks out from their showdown, saw his performance described as flawless, while others noted how he is, in fact, what polarizing prospect, Pimblett believes he is. 

“Ian Garry is what Paddy Pimblett thinks he is,” DovySimuMMA tweeted

“Wow! Very impressive performance for Garry to take out someone as tough as Rodriguez,” Alan Jouban tweeted

Ian Machado Garry lays out six-fight plan to earn UFC title fight

Following his stunning win, Garry revealed he had spoken with UFC brass, including Dana White, Sean Shelby, and Hunter Campbell backstage – where he informed them of his intentions to run through contenders en route to a title siege.

“I was in a little meeting, should we say, with the big boys,” Ian Garry told Megan Olivi. “With Dana, Hunter, and Sean Shelby. And we just spoke about – I said to them, ‘Hey, if you heard about my six fight plan?’ And they said no. I said, ‘I fight two guys in top 15, two guys in top 10, two guys in top 5.’ And I said, ‘Do you wanna know why?’ And he goes, ‘Why?’ ‘It’s because I never want any question marks on my career. So, I am going to grab that. I am going to earn everything and it my way. He said, ‘I love it.” 

Matt Brown offers to fight Conor McGregor to land knockout record following stunning UFC Charlotte win

Matt Brown offers to fight Conor McGregor to land KO record following UFC Charlotte winOff the back of his spectacular one-punch knockout win over Court McGee last night in the featured preliminary bout of UFC Fight NIght Charlotte, veteran welterweight contender, Matt Brown has offered to fight former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – in a bid to set himself apart as the most prolific knockout artist in Octagon history. […]

Matt Brown offers to fight Conor McGregor to land KO record following UFC Charlotte win

Off the back of his spectacular one-punch knockout win over Court McGee last night in the featured preliminary bout of UFC Fight NIght Charlotte, veteran welterweight contender, Matt Brown has offered to fight former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – in a bid to set himself apart as the most prolific knockout artist in Octagon history.

Brown, 42, featured in the featured preliminary bout of UFC on ABC 4 last night against fellow welterweight division veteran, McGee, creating some separation in the final minute of the opening, before lining up a straight right counter, dropping and finishing the former with a stunning opening frame KO.

With the victory, Brown joined heavyweight knockout ace, Derrick Lewis as the tied most prolific knockout artist in the history of the organization, with both landing 13 separate finishes with strikes.

In response to Brown’s impressive feat, former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, McGregor vowed to himself snatch the all-time knockout record before his time in the sport is over.

“Matt Brown, at 42 years of age, now holds the joint highest KO’s inside the UFC with 13 KO’s,” Conor McGregor tweeted. “Him and ‘The Beast’ Lewis are tied. I hold 8 KO’s inside the UFC currently, at 34 years of age. I’m getting this record.”

Matt Brown offers to fight Conor McGregor in bid to land UFC knockout record

Vowing to return to the Octagon in a bid to land another, record-setting knockout victory in the future, perennial contender, Brown offered to fight McGregor in a bid to enter the history books himself.

“I’ll fight you for it,” Matt Brown tweeted at Conor McGregor.

A former top-contender at the welterweight limit, Brown has landed Octagon victories over the likes of Stephen Thompson, Mike Swick, Erick Silva, Tim Means, and former lightweight title challenger, Diego Sanchez during his tenure with the UFC.