Anthony Smith intended for his recent fight against Zhang Mingyang at UFC Kansas City to be his last, having publicly announced his retirement plans beforehand. The bout was intentionally timed and located near his training base and home in Omaha. However, the veteran fighter`s final appearance didn`t unfold as hoped, ending in a first-round TKO loss after suffering a significant cut from an elbow, which was followed by decisive ground and pound.
This outcome was certainly not what Smith desired. Commenting on the situation, fellow UFC veteran and prominent figure Matt Brown shared his perspective, suggesting that such disappointing results are frequently the case when fighters make grand declarations about retiring after an upcoming fight.
Brown referenced previous statements by UFC President Dana White concerning fighters who are already contemplating retirement, and expressed his personal reservations about athletes scheduling and announcing a specific “retirement fight.”
“That’s why I’m not such a fan of guys planning their retirement fight. I get it. Some guys like Robbie Lawler, they handle it well and still go out there and get it done, but I think when you’ve already got a foot out the door, you’re probably going to be fighting a guy with two feet in the door. So it’s going to be a problem.”
Drawing on his 15 years of experience in the UFC, Brown is well aware of the inherent dangers involved in every fight. He emphasized that this risk becomes even more pronounced when one fighter is mentally preparing to conclude their career while their opponent is fully focused on building theirs.
“Our life is truly on the line in there, and I don’t think it’s a good thing to go in with a foot [out] the door, which was a part of my retirement. I was like, if I’ve got a foot out, I’m not going to go in there with a guy with both feet in. You’re risking a lot, especially when you’ve got kids and stuff.”
In contrast to Smith, Brown`s own final appearance in the UFC was not a pre-planned retirement bout. After securing a significant knockout victory over Court McGee, he didn`t make the decision to retire until approximately a year later. The realization came when the prospect of another fight didn`t spark the same level of enthusiasm and competitive drive that had fueled his career for so long. That was the point Brown knew it was time to step away.
While he understands the motivation behind fighters wanting a celebratory send-off or “last hurrah” like Smith`s attempt, Brown noted that he has observed significantly more instances of fighters ending their careers with a defeat rather than a victorious moment.
Brown further elaborated on the crucial difference in mindset that arises when a fighter announces their final bout.
“You can absolutely go in [thinking] I’m going to leave it all in there, it’s my last time and everything. But the guy you’re fighting isn’t thinking that way. He’s in there thirsty for blood, and he’s in there to try to get to a championship, and he’s in there to make money and all this shit… You’re going to be a step behind when that guy is thirsty for everything, and you’re kind of like, ‘This is my last time, I’m going to leave it all in here.’ But are you really? What are you leaving it all in there for? For your f*cking legacy? This guy is leaving it all in there because he wants to move up. You’re leaving it all in there so that you feel cool, and feel like you did a great thing or whatever, your motivation is totally different. It’s just not a good mindset, in my opinion.”
He drew a parallel to the old boxing adage about walking up the stairs in wooden shoes (the climb) and walking down in silk slippers (retirement), highlighting the fundamental difference between a career goal and a final act. For athletes who may have other ventures or whose primary focus has shifted, the absolute, undivided concentration required at the highest level might be diminished. While Brown conceded that truly exceptional athletes, like Jon Jones, might be able to succeed without needing complete singular focus, he feels that for the vast majority of fighters, that intense drive is essential.
Instead of publicly setting the stage for a specific retirement fight, Brown believes fighters would benefit more from simply recognizing when the end of their competitive journey is near and considering retirement sooner rather than later, while their competitive fire is still fully ablaze.
Brown acknowledged that Smith`s situation is not unique in the sport but expressed his hope that fighters would thoroughly consider all potential factors and outcomes before committing to a public retirement fight, emphasizing that the mental state entering the cage is a critical determinant.
