Anthony Smith was one of many a number of fighters referred to as in to assist save the day at UFC 303 final month.
The Worldwide Combat Week 2024 occasion lineup misplaced two of its three unique former UFC champion combatants when Conor McGregor and Jamahal Hill went down with accidents in the principle and co-main occasions. Due to this fact, the promotion was compelled to improvise on a few weeks’ discover, resulting in makeshift mild heavyweight matchups, an impromptu title combat rematch, and a wholly new co-main occasion.
Oh, by the way in which, that third champion who remained on the cardboard from the leap was Andrei Arlovski. After all, it was previous dependable. Absolutely the legend
In the long run, Smith entered the combo to exchange Hill earlier than Hill’s alternative opponent Carlos Ulberg wanted changing. Yeah, it actually was a multitude. Middleweight contender Roman Dolidze crammed the void and got here out victorious with a unanimous choice over “Lionheart.” In consequence, the one-time mild heavyweight title challenger goes via a brand new post-fight expertise.
“This can be a powerful one,” Smith instructed MMA on SiriusXM’s Combat Nation. “It’s the primary time I’ve ever been unhappy. I’ve misplaced fights and been indignant, disenchanted, embarrassed, that actual fiery anger, you recognize? Simply mad about it. I’ve by no means been unhappy earlier than till now. By no means.”
Smith, 35, is being a bit harsh on himself contemplating the circumstances of his combat and what occurred with the occasion normally. I didn’t even allude to the combat evening chaos that ensued with the co-main occasion.
UFC 303 was cursed as quickly because the calendar turned to June. For Smith although, he noticed a main alternative to capitalize on perhaps, simply perhaps, sneaking his manner right into a longshot title tilt with the champion Alex Pereira in the event that they each gained their fights. Pereira did his factor, knocking out Jiri Prochazka for a second time, however Smith noticed his Dolidze conflict as a must-win for that purpose he’s longed to attain.
“I’m out right here doing one of many hardest f*cking issues there’s to do in sports activities on no discover, laying it out on the f*cking line simply daring to be nice, and making an attempt to do one thing f*cking laborious,” Smith mentioned. “I don’t know. You fail and it f*cking sucks and also you gotta come again to your loved ones.
“If we’re simply being sincere right here, that in all probability places the nail within the coffin for my alternative to ever win a title. Most likely. There’s possibilities, clearly. There’s the [Michael] Bisping story and the [Dustin] Poirier resurgence, Glover [Teixeira], no matter. A few of that stuff’s all sort of circumstantial. It simply occurred to work out for them, however like, that’s in all probability it.”
Smith turned again an undefeated 11-0 prospect, Vitor Petrino, in his earlier combat to earn his thirty eighth profession win (38-20), exhibiting he can nonetheless compete. Though the Nebraskan believes his title possibilities have been dashed for higher or worse, he famous how he isn’t able to retire. Within the continuously fluctuating 205-pound division, Smith sees some enjoyable remaining matchups earlier than he turns his broadcast analyst function right into a full-time gig.
“All of the issues I’ve sacrificed, relationships that I misplaced, the time with my youngsters, the events, all these experiences to love, the kid in me,” Smith mentioned. “The dude that’s feeling sorry for himself thinks, ‘Oh, it’s all for nothing.’ That’s not likely the case. I must be an grownup about it.
“Financially, that was a house run. I’m simply gonna be sincere. On that entrance, I’m doing positive, however that’s not what was all the time essential to me. I didn’t get into this sport to earn a living. That’s not what it was ever about. So, that as a reward isn’t as fulfilling as some folks assume it will be.”
Lightweights. Dustin Poirier takes intention at Michael Chandler: ‘You’re not considered one of us’
Expectations. Michael Web page: Ian Machado Garry will get killed by Leon Edwards, Shavkat Rakhmonov
Bother. FanDuel fined, compelled to pay greater than $230K in wagers for bets taken on pre-recorded PFL fights
Dispute. Alex Pereira and Artem Vakhitov argue over previous fights, Vakhitov gives ‘to settle the problem within the UFC octagon’
Rematch. Rampage Jackson teases boxing match with Rashad Evans for ONE FC
Persistence. Sean Strickland: Robert Whittaker ‘can get it after I get my belt again’
Competition. Jailton Almeida urges Cyril Gane to take ‘title eliminator’ combat at UFC Paris: ‘No manner this combat would go the gap’
The MMA Hour.
UFC Denver media day.
Full combat.
No Bets Barred. MMA Combating’s Jed Meshew and Conner Burks talk about does Rose Namajunas nonetheless have it or can Tracy Cortez pull off the upset at UFC Denver.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover considered one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at the moment actually into. I’ll decide the most effective one alongside my each day selection and provide you with a shoutout! You may also share within the feedback under — these are simply tougher to sift via typically!
Stats.
No ragrets.
About to go below the knife yet one more time. If I don’t make it out of right here alive simply bear in mind, I meant all of the shit I mentioned on this app!
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) July 10, 2024
Co-leader.
The one.
Assembly.
Evan Elder (8-2) vs. Darrius Flowers (12-7-1); UFC Denver, July 13
Chepe Mariscal (16-6) vs. Damon Jackson (23-6-1); UFC Vegas 95, Aug. 10
Javid Basharat (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Chris Gutierrez (20-6-2); UFC Abu Dhabi, Aug. 3
Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs. Marcos Breno (15-3); Bellator San Diego, Sept. 7
Douglas Lima (33-11) vs. Aaron Jeffery (14-5); Bellator San Diego, Sept. 8
Jaqueline Amorim (8-1) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (11-5); UFC Vegas 97, Sept. 7
Victor Altamirano (12-4) vs. Daniel Bárez (16-6); UFC Paris, Sept. 28
Fares Ziam (15-4) vs. Matt Frevola (11-4-1); UFC Paris, Sept. 28
It was a little bit of a longshot for Smith’s title hopes as is, relying on how badly Alex Pereira would have pushed for it. Regardless, crazier issues can occur on this bizarre UFC mild heavyweight division.
Thanks for studying!
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