Anthony Smith feels he finally received what truly mattered at UFC Kansas City.
Just two weeks prior, Smith entered the octagon for what would be his final professional fight, facing Zhang Mingyang in the co-main event. The bout concluded with a first-round TKO loss for Smith, marking the end of his extensive 60-fight career, which notably included a challenge for the UFC light heavyweight championship. While Smith never secured the UFC belt or achieved all his initial aspirations, he believes his experience at UFC Kansas City, nicknamed “Lionheart,” brought him the acknowledgment he ultimately desired.
Reflecting on his journey on MMA Today with Din Thomas, Smith shared, “I spent all those years chasing the title, and it was, like, the only thing that mattered. But do you remember what I always said, why I wanted the title so bad? I wanted, for even that one day, for the whole world to acknowledge me as the best in the world. That’s why I wanted it. It had nothing to do with the money or the 12 pounds of gold or the actual, physical belt itself. I just wanted the entire world to not have any other option, but they had to acknowledge me.”
He continued, “And I’ve realized this last couple weeks, it was never really about the title. I just wanted my journey acknowledged, and my effort. I wanted my effort to be acknowledged. I’ll never win a title, obviously, I’ll never be in the Hall of Fame, but I think what I got that Saturday night was what I’ve been looking for this whole time. I just wanted to be acknowledged. I think that’s what it was. I don’t know that it was every really about the title. I think that was the vehicle I was chasing and that’s what I thought it was, but I left there content. I went in there thinking, ‘I just have to be happy with what I’ve got because this is all I’m going to get, so I have to be happy with it.’ Then I walked out of there with everything I’d ever wanted.”
Smith`s retirement was a planned decision. Following the fight, the UFC dedicated time to celebrate his career, featuring a video tribute that included messages from former opponents and highlights of his most memorable performances.
Looking back, Smith credits this tribute, combined with the overwhelming positive reaction from the Kansas City audience that evening and the respect shown by fellow fighters in attendance, with bringing him a sense of peace regarding his career`s conclusion.
“It was down to, when I made the walk and it was just different,” Smith stated. “It was different. The arena was insane. Everybody was on their feet, from the floor to the ceiling, to the seats in the rafters. And then, just the reaction I got from the crowd.”
He added that a particularly moving moment occurred as he prepared to walk out: “And one thing that meant a lot to me, when I was getting ready to walk in, I was in the check-in station… I walked up the stairs, I turned around, and Dana’s fighter section is right there, and everybody was standing up, clapping. So then I got the acknowledgement from my peers, the other fighters. Even if they didn’t like me, at least they appreciated the journey.”
Smith concluded, “I got the acknowledgement from my peers. And then the UFC and ESPN, with the video package… [featuring] the people I respect the most… I think that was the acknowledgement I was looking for the whole time. It was wild. Other than the win, it couldn’t have been any better.”
Anthony Smith finished his professional MMA career with an overall record of 38 wins and 22 losses, including a 13-12 record within the UFC.
