Anthony Smith News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 29, 2025

The UFC recently held a retirement fight in Kansas City for Anthony Smith, and he was stopped via bloody first-round TKO. Smith mentioned in his post-fight interview that it was simply time to walk away from pro MMA competition. He admitted that he was getting older and wasn’t moving the way he used to inside the Octagon. “Lionheart” now looks forward to putting in more time as an analyst, along with other projects.

Cole Shelton - April 28, 2025

Anthony Smith opened up on why he flipped off the fan after his UFC Kansas City loss. Smith was set for his retirement fight against Mingyang Zhang. ‘Lionheart’ entered the bout as a sizeable underdog, and he suffered a first-round TKO loss. After the loss, while the doctors were attending to him in the Octagon, he was flipping someone off and he revealed it was a fan.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 28, 2025

Michael Bisping has given his reaction to Anthony Smith’s swan song. Smith entered the Octagon for the final time in the co-main event of UFC Kansas City. Zhang Mingyang was his dance partner, and the fight didn’t make it out of the opening frame. Mingyang delivered some sharp elbows that split the top of Smith’s head. He then rained down strikes on the ground before referee Jason Herzog stopped the fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 27, 2025

Anthony Smith has explained his issue with one fan following his retirement fight at UFC Kansas City. Smith entered the Octagon for the final time as an active fighter this past Saturday. He went one-on-one with Zhang Mingyang in the co-main event. Mingyang’s elbows sliced the top of Smith’s head. Mingyang followed up with some vicious ground-and-pound to get the first-round TKO finish.

Chris Taylor - April 26, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Kansas City results, including the light heavyweight co-main event between Anthony Smith and Zhang Mingyang. Smith (38-21 MMA) will be competing for the final time this evening in Missouri. ‘Lionheart’ will enter his retirement fight with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The 36-year-old was most recently knocked out by Dominick Reyes at UFC 310, which was preceded by a unanimous decision loss to Roman Dolidze in June of last year.

Harry Kettle - April 24, 2025

UFC veteran Anthony Smith has said that he’s accepted his impending retirement ahead of his clash with Zhang Mingyang. On Saturday night, Anthony Smith will make the walk to the Octagon for the final time in his career. He has been through some real ups and downs in his mixed martial arts career, but he will have one more opportunity to prove himself to the world before he rides off into the sunset. It’s been a tough few years for ‘Lionheart’ after the death of his friend and coach Scott Morton, but he seems to be in a better place now.

Cole Shelton - April 21, 2025

UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith understands that he has to fight a young up-and-comer in his retirement fight. Smith will retire at UFC Kansas City when he takes on Mingyang Zhang. Zhang is 2-0 in the UFC but has looked impressive in his two fights. For Smith’s retirement fight, it’s no layup fight or a big-name opponent, which ‘Lionheart’ understands. Smith knows the UFC is about getting the young guys over, which is what he thinks the UFC wants to happen here.

BJ Penn Staff - April 21, 2025

UFC veteran Anthony Smith is nearing the end of his lengthy MMA career. From the sounds of it, he already has some big plans for his life after fighting. For one, he aims to create a feeder league for Dana White’s controversial Power Slap promotion. Smith has been fighting professional since 2008. He made his UFC debut in 2013, but after a loss to Antonio Braga Neto, was released after just one fight. Three years later, after a seven-fight streak in smaller promotions, he was re-signed by the UFC. He’s been a member of the promotion’s roster ever since, and even competed against Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title in 2019, though he lost by decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 17, 2025

A one-time UFC title challenger has his doubts about the upcoming Global Fight League. GFL has arrived, but many feel it’s been with a whimper. The promotion, which positions itself as a league, has signed a slew of aging names who were once relevant under the UFC banner. Some of those stars, such as UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans, denied ever signing up for GFL despite the fact that he was initially used for promotional material.

Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025

Anthony Smith has confirmed his UFC Kansas City fight against Mingyang Zhang will be his final fight. Smith believes he’s likely already stayed around for too long but knows the time is now to retire, regardless of the result. Even if Smth turns back the clock and has an incredible performance, he says this retirement is for good.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2025

One seasoned UFC veteran says his next fight will be his MMA swan song, and he won’t be looking back. Anthony Smith is scheduled to compete on the UFC Kansas City card. He will take on Zhang Mingyang inside T-Mobile Center on Aug. 26. Headlining that card will be a light heavyweight battle between former 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.

Josh Evanoff - February 19, 2025

Anthony Smith was just as shocked as everyone else to learn his final UFC opponent. ‘Lionheart’ has been out of the cage since a clash with Dominick Reyes in December. Anthony Smith entered UFC 310 with a heavy heart, fighting just weeks after the passing of his coach, Scott Morton. Sadly for the former title challenger, he was dominated and handed a second-round stoppage loss by ‘The Devastator’.

Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025

Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith is now set for his retirement fight. ‘Lionheart’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Dominick Reyes at UFC 310 in December. Sadly for Anthony Smith, he entered the bout with a heavy heart. Just weeks before the fight, his longtime coach, Scott Morton, suddenly passed away. While Smith debated pulling out of the bout, he continued with it.

Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2025

UFC light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith has given his side of the beef with Rampage Jackson. ‘Lionheart’ made headlines earlier this week by voicing frustrations with the former UFC champion’s podcast. Speaking on his own podcast, Anthony Smith took issue with Rampage Jackson’s habit of making fun of fighters behind their back, while being nice to their face. That led to a lengthy rant from the 46-year-old, who threatened to slap Smith next time he sees him.

Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2025

Former UFC champion Rampage Jackson has sent a warning at Anthony Smith. The 46-year-old fighter is quickly rising up in the podcast world. As the host of the ‘JAXXON’ Podcast, Rampage Jackson interviews current and retired athletes, including the likes of Forrest Griffin, Alex Pereira, Jorge Masvidal, and more. While the podcast is growing fast, it seems that UFC light-heavyweight Anthony Smith isn’t a fan.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025

An ex-foe of Jon Jones thinks the reigning UFC heavyweight champion should have the top pound-for-pound distinction over Islam Makhachev. The pound-for-pound argument continues within the MMA community. Those who believe Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, deserves the number one spot argue that he has been more active as of late than “Bones.” Those who argue in favor of Jones are factoring in his longevity as an elite MMA titleholder.

Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025

Anthony Smith says he asked Hunter Campbell and the UFC if he could compete in Power Slap. Smith has been a professional fighter since 2008 and has had 59 professional fights. He has said he will retire after his next fight, but he also had some interest in going to Power Slap, but the UFC told him no.

Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2025

Longtime UFC light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith isn’t retiring quite yet. ‘Lionheart’ returned to the octagon on the UFC 310 main card last month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since suffering a short-notice loss to Roman Dolidze in June, Anthony Smith faced Dominick Reyes. For his part, ‘The Devastator’ headed into the bout fresh off a knockout win over Dustin Jacoby in the summer.