Ahead of his first-round TKO loss to Zhang Mingyang in the UFC Kansas City co-main event, Anthony Smith had publicly revealed his intention to retire after the fight.
Smith, a veteran of 50 professional fights, had planned his retirement timing and location with the UFC, finding a seemingly perfect fit in Kansas City, where he had trained extensively, and close to his Omaha home. However, the planned finale ended brutally, with Smith suffering a nasty cut from an elbow before being finished by ground strikes.
While this wasn`t the swansong Smith envisioned, fellow UFC notable Matt Brown argues that such disappointing conclusions are often the result when fighters announce their intention to retire ahead of a specific bout.
Speaking on *The Fighter vs. The Writer* podcast, Brown echoed a sentiment previously expressed by Dana White: “If you`re already thinking about [retirement], you should just stop now.”
“That`s precisely why I`m not a fan of fighters scheduling their retirement fights,” Brown stated. “I understand the appeal, and some individuals, like Robbie Lawler, manage it successfully. But generally, if you have one foot out the door, you`re likely facing someone with both feet firmly planted, which creates a significant disadvantage.”
With 15 years competing in the UFC, Brown is acutely aware of the inherent, ever-present danger within the cage.
This risk is amplified when one fighter is mentally preparing for the end of their career against an opponent whose focus is entirely on advancing theirs.
“While I`m unaware of any deaths specifically in the UFC, this sport carries genuine life-threatening risks,” Brown emphasized. “Entering the cage with one foot already out the door is ill-advised; it was a factor in my own decision process for retirement.”
He continued, “My thinking was, if my mind isn`t fully in it, I shouldn`t step in against someone who is. The stakes are incredibly high, particularly when you have a family.”
In contrast, Brown`s actual final UFC fight – a spectacular knockout win over Court McGee – wasn`t planned as his retirement bout. His decision to retire came a year later, only when the prospect of another fight no longer sparked the same passion and drive that had fueled his long career. That moment, for Brown, was the true indicator it was time to step away.
While acknowledging the desire for a grand final appearance, Brown notes that the reality in MMA sees far more retirement fights ending in defeat than in triumphant victory.
“The mentality is simply different,” Brown elaborated. “You might tell yourself you`re going to give everything for one last time. But your opponent isn`t thinking like that. They`re hungry, focused on climbing the ranks, earning money, and striving for titles. It`s like the old boxing adage: you ascend the stairs in work boots, but often descend in slippers. That`s the dynamic in these scenarios.”
He added, “Fighters nearing retirement often have other ventures, other income streams. Their focus isn`t solely on fighting anymore. While rare exceptions exist, like Jon Jones, who seems capable of beating top fighters without seemingly needing that `two feet in` mindset, most fighters *require* that absolute focus. I`ve never been a fan of fighting without it.”
Instead of orchestrating a specific `retirement fight,` Brown suggests fighters should recognize when their peak focus is waning and consider retiring promptly rather than delaying.
Brown acknowledges that Smith`s situation isn`t unique in the UFC but hopes fighters will carefully weigh all the potential risks and outcomes before setting up a bout designed as their final act, which could easily turn into a setback.
“Once you start thinking about or even voicing retirement,” Brown reiterated, “you`re typically facing an opponent with a completely different focus. While some might fight for other reasons, most opponents are driven, hungry for victory, money, and opportunity. If your mindset isn`t aligned with that intensity, you`re automatically at a disadvantage. That`s just a fact.”
He concluded, “You`ll be a step slower when facing someone who`s fighting for everything, while you`re thinking, `This is it, I`ll leave it all in there.` But *are* you really? What`s the motivation? For your legacy? Your opponent fights to advance their career. You`re fighting for perhaps a sense of closure or personal satisfaction. The differing motivations create a significant imbalance. It`s simply not a good mindset for competition at this level.”
Wesley Dunham