Anthony Smith News
Anthony Smith reveals front kicks from Jon Jones left him with a dead spot: “It killed the nerves”
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2022
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has revealed front kicks from Jon Jones gave him a dead spot at UFC 235. Back in March 2019, Anthony Smith put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short in his attempt to capture the 205-pound title from Jon Jones. “Lionheart” just wasn’t able to get into any kind of rhythm, although he did earn praise from fans and pundits for not opting to win the belt via disqualification following an illegal shot from the champion.
Anthony Smith recalls hearing stories about Khamzat Chimaev long before his UFC debut
Susan Cox - January 12, 2022
Anthony Smith claims he heard the name Khamzat Chimaev long before ‘Borz’ ever made his debut in the UFC. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, Smith (36-16 MMA), made an appearance on Michael Bisping’s ‘Believe You Me’ podcast where he recalled being told stories about Chimaev:
Anthony Smith explains why “it would suck” to see Aleksandar Rakic rewarded with a fight against Jan Blachowicz
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2021
Anthony Smith has explained why he’d be upset to see Aleksandar Rakic get a fight against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Last year, Aleksandar Rakic defeated Anthony Smith via unanimous decision to edge one step closer towards a shot at the light heavyweight crown. Since then he’s also beaten Thiago Santos whereas Smith has gone on a strong run of finishing Devin Clark, Jimmy Crute and Ryan Spann to vault back into title contention.
Anthony Smith explains why Conor McGregor has become "the outsider" among MMA fighters
Adam D Martin - November 19, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith explained why Conor McGregor has become “the outsider” amongst his fellow MMA fighters. Smith and McGregor have taken some shots at each other over the past several months, including McGregor recently criticizing Smith’s analysis on the UFC post-fight desk. If you ask Smith, though, McGregor isn’t actually trying to take shots at his fellow fighters to try and get under their skin. Instead, Smith thinks McGregor is just trying to fit in with his fellow fighters, but his peers have no interest in letting him back into their world.
Anthony Smith reveals he was offered a fight against Jan Blachowicz just hours after UFC 267
Cole Shelton - November 1, 2021
Anthony Smith could be facing Jan Blachowicz next time out. Smith revealed on Monday on The MMA Hour that he did agree to face Aleksandar Rakic on December 18. The fight was agreed to but Smith says he has a small injury that forced him out of the fight, but now he said just hours after Blachowicz lost his title to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267, the promotion offered him a fight against the Pole.
UFC Rankings Update: Anthony Smith jumps two spots following win over Ryan Spann
Harry Kettle - September 22, 2021
Anthony Smith has jumped up two spots in the UFC’s light heavyweight rankings after his win over Ryan Spann last weekend. Despite being seen as the favourite by many heading into Saturday night, Anthony Smith still managed to exceed expectations with a nasty submission win over Ryan Spann – followed by one of the best UFC promos of the year.
What's next for Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann after UFC Vegas 37?
Cole Shelton - September 20, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 37, top-15 middleweights collided as Anthony Smith looked to extend his winning streak against surging contender, Ryan Spann. Smith entered the fight coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Jimmy Crute and Devin Clark. Prior to that, “Lionheart” had some setbacks as he lost to Aleksandar Rakic and Glover Teixeira. Ryan Spann, meanwhile, was coming off a first-round KO over Misha Cirkunov after a loss to Johnny Walker which had some controversy to it.
Anthony Smith says he has squashed his beef with Ryan Spann
Adam D Martin - September 20, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith says he has squashed his beef with Ryan Spann following their recent fight at UFC Vegas 37. Smith finished Spann in the first round of their main event fight by submission after knocking his opponent down twice prior to choking him out. It was an incredible performance by Smith, who was fighting with a lot of emotion in the cage on Saturday night. Heading into this fight, Spann had some negative things to say about Smith, and “Lionheart” was not thrilled with that. At the end of the day, however, Smith got the last laugh when he entered the Octagon and took care of business with his rival Spann.
Anthony Smith calls for Aleksandar Rakic rematch following Ryan Spann finish at UFC Vegas 37
Adam D Martin - September 19, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith calls for the Aleksandar Rakic rematch following the Ryan Spann finish at UFC Vegas 37. Smith won his third straight fight in the Octagon when he submitted Spann in the first round of their UFC Vegas 37 main event. For Smith, he has now won three straight fights by stoppage over Spann, Jimmy Crute, and Devin Clark. With a three-fight win streak now in his back pocket, “Lionheart” believes he has the ammunition he needs in order to call out the top dogs at 205lbs, and right now, Rakic is one of the best fighters in the weight class.
UFC Vegas 37 Bonus Report: Anthony Smith among 4 'POTN' winners
Chris Taylor - September 18, 2021
The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 37 event, a fourteen bout fight card headlined by Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann. The light heavyweight main event proved to be a wild and short lived affair. Anthony Smith and Devin Clark both landed big shots in the early moments of the fight, but it was a right hand from ‘Lionheart’ that sent ‘Superman’ crashing to the canvas. From there, Smith would eventually lockup a rear-naked choke which forced Spann to tapout.
Pros react after Anthony Smith submits Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 37
Chris Taylor - September 18, 2021
A key light heavyweight bout featuring Anthony Smith taking on Ryan Spann headlined tonight’s UFC Vegas 37 event. Smith (36-16 MMA) was looking to extend his current win streak to three in a row when he took to the Octagon this evening. ‘Lionheart’ had earned back-to-back stoppage wins over Jimmy Crute and Devin Clark in his most previous efforts.
UFC Vegas 37 Results: Anthony Smith stops Ryan Spann in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - September 18, 2021
A key light heavyweight bout featuring Anthony Smith taking on Ryan Spann headlines tonight’s UFC Vegas 37 event. Smith (35-16 MMA) will be looking to extend his current win streak to three in a row when he makes the walk this evening. ‘Lionheart’ is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Jimmy Crute and Devin Clark in his most recent efforts.
UFC Vegas 37 weigh-in results: Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann make weight, one fighter misses
Adam D Martin - September 17, 2021
The official weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 37 took place on Friday in Las Vegas, and 27 of the 28 fighters scheduled to compete have made weight. In the headliner, Anthony Smith takes on Ryan Spann in a light heavyweight bout between two fighters ranked in the top-15 of the division. The No. 6 ranked Smith stepped onto the scale at 205.5lbs, while the No. 11 ranked Spann weighed in at 206lbs. This is a big fight in the UFC light heavyweight division, so expect the winner to face a big-name next time out.
Anthony Smith on potential greatest of all time Jon Jones: “We’re really not that far off and especially now”
Harry Kettle - September 17, 2021
Anthony Smith believes that the current crop of UFC light heavyweights have pretty much caught up to 205-pound great Jon Jones. While “Lionheart” may have failed in his attempt to capture the strap from Jones two years ago, he’s still managed to shine through ever since as a big fan favourite in the division. From his personality to his fight style, it’s hard not to enjoy what Anthony Smith does for the UFC.
Anthony Smith fires back at "f*cking dork" Ryan Spann ahead of UFC Vegas 37
Adam D Martin - September 13, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith fired back at “f*cking dork” Ryan Spann ahead of their fight this weekend at UFC Vegas 37. Smith, the No. 6 ranked fighter at 205lbs, meets the No. 11 ranked Spann in the headliner of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night card. Ahead of their fight, “Superman” had some choice words to say about “Lionheart” in the UFC’s video promo package for UFC Vegas 37. Smith heard those comments, and speaking on The MMA Hour, he responded to what Spann said.
Conor McGregor fires back at "big zombie" Anthony Smith: "Are you stupid?"
Chris Taylor - August 21, 2021
Conor McGregor has fired back at Anthony Smith, this after ‘Lionheart’ suggested the Irishman had gone “way too far” with his social media antics. McGregor (22-6 MMA) has engaged heated words with a number of UFC fighters as of late, in particular Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping and Dustin Poirier.
Anthony Smith "would love" to fight Jiri Prochazka: "It just looks like it’s so much fun"
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2021
Anthony Smith thinks fighting Jiri Prochazka would be a ton of fun. Prochazka is the former RIZIN light heavyweight champion and has made good so far in his UFC career. In his debut, he knocked out Volkan Oezdemir and followed that up with a highlight-reel KO over Dominick Reyes. He will now serve as the backup for the title fight, but Smith says that is a fight he would like to have.
Anthony Smith blasts Conor McGregor for making excuses following loss to Dustin Poirier: "We are all injured"
Adam D Martin - July 21, 2021
Fellow UFC fighter Anthony Smith blasted Conor McGregor for making excuses following his loss to Dustin Poirier, saying “we are all injured.” McGregor lost via first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) to Poirier in their trilogy match at UFC 264, and afterwards, it has come out that he had a leg injury heading into the fight. Speaking on Sirius XM’s Fight Nation, Smith was asked about the reports of McGregor being hurt coming into the fight. For Smith, being injured is something that all MMA fighters have to deal with, and he believes that it’s not a valid excuse for McGregor.