Anthony Smith News
Anthony Smith addresses fans who think 'delusional' Jon Jones will beat him in early
Tom Taylor - January 8, 2019
At UFC 235 on March 2, streaking light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith will get his shot at the UFC light heavyweight title, which is once again owned by the seemingly unstoppable Jon Jones. Heading into this fight, fans are not giving Anthony Smith much of a chance. For all his talent and ferocity, Jones has proven himself to be on another level entirely from most of his opposition.
Opening Odds Released for Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith at UFC 235
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2019
UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will be making a quick turnaround in order to defend his title at March’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White recently told TMZ Sports that a title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith was in the works for March’s pay-per-view event.
UFC 235: Jon Jones vs. Anthony Smith fight card
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019
UFC 235, which goes down on March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada, is already shaping up to be a 2019 Card of the Year contender. If all goes according to plan, the card will be topped by a light heavyweight showdown between resurgent champion Jon Jones and surging contender Anthony Smith. In order for this bout to occur at UFC 235 as planned, Jones will first have to receive licensure from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Anthony Smith reacts to news of Jon Jones matchup
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019
Last night UFC President Dana White told TMZ that Jon Jones will return to the cage at UFC 235 on March 2, where he will attempt the first title defense of his latest reign as UFC light heavyweight champion against streaking contender Anthony Smith — provided he can attain licensure from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Not long after this news surfaced, Anthony Smith took to Twitter with this first reaction to the fight.
Heavy Lies The Crown: Jon Jones Edition
Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2019
In this week’s “Heavy Lies the Crown” feature, BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor takes a look at the dangerous challenges awaiting current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Jon Jones reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title last weekend in Los Angeles by defeating Alexander Gustafsson via third-round knockout.
Jon Jones hints at upcoming fight with Anthony Smith: 'This is going to be fun'
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2019
Having defeated Alexander Gustafsson by third-round TKO in the main event of UFC 232 in late December, Jon Jones is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion. And now that he’s reclaimed the divisional throne, it’s time for himto direct his focus to his next title challenger. From the sounds of it, that challenger could be streaking light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith.
Anthony Smith ready to fight Jon Jones at any time, 'I'm the only legitimate threat'
Drake Riggs - January 2, 2019
In recent years, title challengers in the 205-pound light heavyweight division have come few and far between. As of right now, Anthony Smith feels he’s the very clear next challenge to the once again champion, Jon Jones. At UFC 232 this past Saturday night, Jones regained the division’s title by defeating his old foe, Alexander Gustafsson via third-round TKO.
Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes trade verbal jabs after Reyes' callout
Drake Riggs - December 3, 2018
The light heavyweight division has recently begun to see some new talents emerge and leading the charge are the likes of the experienced Anthony “Lionheart” Smith and the young rising contender, Dominick Reyes. After Smith’s biggest win of his career over the previously No. 2 ranked Volkan Oezdemir in October, Smith now finds himself poised for another big fight but also with a target on his back.
Anthony Smith believes 'Jon Jones is less dangerous than Volkan is'
Tom Taylor - October 30, 2018
On December 29, in the main event of UFC 232, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and top contender Alexander Gustafsson are expected to rematch for the vacant light heavyweight title, which will simultaneously be stripped from current champ Daniel Cormier. Anthony Smith, who recently won big with a submission of former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in the UFC Moncton main event, believes he’s the obvious next opponent for the winner of this UFC 232 title fight. “I just took out the No. 2 guy in the world. I’ve finished two former world champions back-to-back and then the No. 2 contender,” Anthony Smith told Luke Thomas on The MMA Hour this week (transcript via MMA Fighting). “The No. 1 contender’s fighting for the title and I think that Daniel Cormier has all but left the division. I don’t think that he’s coming back to 205. I don’t know who else would be in front of me. I don’t know who else is a legitimate threat to either one of those guys, no matter who wins the title. You might be able to throw (Ilir) Latifi in there, but if Gustafsson wins [against Jones], then that’s definitely out the window.
Anthony Smith responds to Jon Jones saying his UFC Moncton win was 'OK'
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2018
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Moncton, streaking light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith picked up arguably the biggest win of his career so far, submitting former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in the third round of a fun scrap. With this victory, Smith established himself as one of the very top contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division, and a frontrunner for the winner of Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson’s UFC 232 title fight.
Jon Jones reacts to tonight's UFC Moncton main event
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
Jon Jones will make his highly anticipated return to the octagon at December’s UFC 232 event in Las Vegas where he will rematch Alexander Gustafsson for the promotions light heavyweight title. “Bones” has not competed since UFC 214 in August of 2017, when he defeated current promotional “champ champ” Daniel Cormier via knockout.
UFC Moncton Results: Anthony Smith submits Volkan Oezdemir (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
Tonight’s UFC Moncton event was headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith. Volkan Oezdemir was last seen in action at January’s UFC 220 event in Boston, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to current UFC “champ champ” Daniel Cormier.
Anthony Smith on Jon Jones: "I’m probably the only legitimate threat to him right now."
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
Surging UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes he is the only real legitimate threat to Jon Jones right now. “Lionheart”, who faces former division title challenger Volkan Oezdemir tonight in Moncton, recently shared his thought’s on “Bones” in an interview with MMA Fighting.
UFC Moncton weigh-in results: Headliners on point, Michael Johnson misses mark
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2018
On Saturday night, the UFC makes its anticipated return to The Great White North with its debut event in Moncton, New Brunswick. This UFC Moncton card will be headlined by a crucial light heavyweight contender bout between former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir and surging finisher Anthony Smith. The co-headliner, meanwhile, will see former lightweight contender Michael Johnson step in to replace the reprimanded Zubaira Tukhugov against Conor McGregor training partner Artem Lobov.
UFC Fight Night 138: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith Fight Card
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2018
The octagon will make its debut in Moncton, New Brunswick on October 27 for the promotions UFC Fight Night 138: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith event. The fight card is headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith.
EXCLUSIVE | Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith talks Volkan Oezdemir, new weight class, and Jon Jones
Mike Straus - October 4, 2018
Perhaps no fighter is a better example of what fighting at a more natural weight class can do for your fighting career than Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. Smith has had a career rebirth so to speak this year. The 30-year-old fighter from Omaha, Nebraska has typically been a middleweight fighter in his career. Lately, however, Smith has decided that cutting down to 185 pounds and then ballooning back up to 230 pounds just isn’t worth it anymore. Let alone the damage that does to your body.
Anthony Smith says he is the original "No Time" — not Volkan Oezdemir
Tom Taylor - August 16, 2018
UFC light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir recently adopted the nickname “No Time.” This nickname is based on his predilection for first-round finishes. Yet Oezdemir’s next opponent, Anthony Smith, feels he is more deserving of that monicker. Anthony Smith, who battles Volkan Oezdemir in the main event of UFC Moncton on October 27, reminds that he’s produced more first-round finishes than his upcoming opponent. In fact, he’s got more first-round finishes than Oezdemir has fights.
BREAKING | UFC Moncton gets Volkan Oezdemir vs Anthony Smith as headliner
Drake Riggs - August 2, 2018
The UFC’s next event in Canada has its main event! And it’s a good one as two of the light heavyweight division’s quickest finishers face off. After his very impressive quick destruction of the legendary Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Anthony Smith was vying to fill in for Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227 against Alexander Gustafsson.