Anthony Smith finally attained what he had been seeking. Just two weeks ago, Smith made his final walk to the octagon, facing Zhang Mingyang in the co-main event at UFC Kansas City. Although he lost by first-round TKO, concluding a career spanning 60 fights that saw him reach the pinnacle of challenging for the UFC light heavyweight title, “Lionheart” ultimately found what he truly desired at UFC Kansas City: acknowledgement.
Speaking on MMA Today with Din Thomas, Smith reflected, “I spent all those years chasing the title, and it felt like the only thing that mattered. But do you recall why I wanted the title so desperately? I wanted the entire world to acknowledge me as the best, even if just for that one day. That was my motivation. It wasn`t about the money, the 12 pounds of gold, or the physical belt itself. I simply wanted the whole world to have no alternative but to recognize me.”
He continued, “And I`ve realized over the past couple of weeks that it was never really about the title. I just wanted my journey, and my effort, to be acknowledged. I will obviously never win a title, nor will I be in the Hall of Fame, but I believe what I received that Saturday night was what I had been searching for this entire time. I just wanted to be acknowledged. I think that was the core of it.”
“I don`t know if it was ever truly about the title. I think that was the path I was pursuing, and I thought that was the goal, but I left there feeling content. I went in thinking, `I just need to be happy with what I`ve got because this is all I`m going to get, so I have to accept it.` Then I walked out of there having gained everything I had ever wanted.”
Smith`s retirement was pre-planned. Following the bout, the UFC dedicated time to celebrating his career, showing a video package that included statements from former opponents and highlights of his most memorable performances.
Looking back, Smith stated that this tribute, combined with the reaction from the Kansas City crowd that evening and the support from fellow fighters present, brought him peace regarding his career.
He described the experience: “It came down to how different it felt when I made the walk. It was unique. The arena was incredible. Everyone was on their feet, from the floor to the ceiling, including those in the rafters. And then, the response I got from the crowd…”
Smith added a moment that held significant meaning for him: “And one thing that meant a lot to me, as I was preparing to walk in, I was at the check-in station, getting the vaseline, getting checked, and I walked up the stairs, turned around, and Dana`s fighter section was right there, and everyone was standing up, clapping. So, I received acknowledgement from my peers, the other fighters. Even if they didn`t particularly like me, they at least appreciated the journey.”
He concluded, “I got the acknowledgement from my peers. And then the UFC and ESPN, with the video package featuring Jelly Roll, which was cool, you were in it [Din Thomas], and Rashad [Evans], and Glover [Teixeira]—the people I respect the most—Laura [Sanko], [Jon] Anik. I believe that was the recognition I had been seeking the entire time. It was remarkable. Aside from getting the win, it couldn`t have been any better.”
Smith concluded his fighting career with an overall record of 38-22, including a UFC record of 13-12.
Marcus Blakely