Anthony Smith News
Anthony Smith reacts to news of Jon Jones matchup
Tom Taylor - January 6, 2019
Last night UFC President Dana White told TMZ that Jon Jones will return to the cage at UFC 235 on March 2, where he will attempt the first title defense of his latest reign as UFC light heavyweight champion against streaking contender Anthony Smith — provided he can attain licensure from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). Not long after this news surfaced, Anthony Smith took to Twitter with this first reaction to the fight.
Breaking! Jon Jones set to return at March's UFC 235 event in Las Vegas
Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2019
UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones will apparently be making a quick turnaround and defending his title at March’s UFC 235 event in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White told TMZ Sports that a title fight between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith is in the works for March’s pay-per-view event.
Heavy Lies The Crown: Jon Jones Edition
Christopher Taylor - January 5, 2019
In this week’s “Heavy Lies the Crown” feature, BJPENN.com’s Chris Taylor takes a look at the dangerous challenges awaiting current UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones. Jon Jones reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title last weekend in Los Angeles by defeating Alexander Gustafsson via third-round knockout.
Jon Jones hints at upcoming fight with Anthony Smith: 'This is going to be fun'
Tom Taylor - January 4, 2019
Having defeated Alexander Gustafsson by third-round TKO in the main event of UFC 232 in late December, Jon Jones is once again the UFC light heavyweight champion. And now that he’s reclaimed the divisional throne, it’s time for himto direct his focus to his next title challenger. From the sounds of it, that challenger could be streaking light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith.
Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes trade verbal jabs after Reyes' callout
Drake Riggs - December 3, 2018
The light heavyweight division has recently begun to see some new talents emerge and leading the charge are the likes of the experienced Anthony “Lionheart” Smith and the young rising contender, Dominick Reyes. After Smith’s biggest win of his career over the previously No. 2 ranked Volkan Oezdemir in October, Smith now finds himself poised for another big fight but also with a target on his back.
Anthony Smith sums up thoughts on Jon Jones: 'I just want to fight him and I think he cheats'
Tom Taylor - November 12, 2018
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones hasn’t been too impressed by surging contender Anthony Smith. Smith, however, has not been afraid to clap back at the former champion at defend himself when necessary. Smith’s latest comments about Jon Jones occurred shortly after the UFC’s 25th anniversary show in Denver, Colorado, where he assured that contrary to the former champ’s recent remarks, he is ready for a title shot.
Anthony Smith believes 'Jon Jones is less dangerous than Volkan is'
Tom Taylor - October 30, 2018
On December 29, in the main event of UFC 232, former UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and top contender Alexander Gustafsson are expected to rematch for the vacant light heavyweight title, which will simultaneously be stripped from current champ Daniel Cormier. Anthony Smith, who recently won big with a submission of former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in the UFC Moncton main event, believes he’s the obvious next opponent for the winner of this UFC 232 title fight. “I just took out the No. 2 guy in the world. I’ve finished two former world champions back-to-back and then the No. 2 contender,” Anthony Smith told Luke Thomas on The MMA Hour this week (transcript via MMA Fighting). “The No. 1 contender’s fighting for the title and I think that Daniel Cormier has all but left the division. I don’t think that he’s coming back to 205. I don’t know who else would be in front of me. I don’t know who else is a legitimate threat to either one of those guys, no matter who wins the title. You might be able to throw (Ilir) Latifi in there, but if Gustafsson wins [against Jones], then that’s definitely out the window.
Anthony Smith responds to Jon Jones saying his UFC Moncton win was 'OK'
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2018
On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Moncton, streaking light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith picked up arguably the biggest win of his career so far, submitting former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in the third round of a fun scrap. With this victory, Smith established himself as one of the very top contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division, and a frontrunner for the winner of Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson’s UFC 232 title fight.
UFC Moncton Results: Anthony Smith submits Volkan Oezdemir (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
Tonight’s UFC Moncton event was headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith. Volkan Oezdemir was last seen in action at January’s UFC 220 event in Boston, where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to current UFC “champ champ” Daniel Cormier.
UFC Fight Night 138: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith Live Results
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
The octagon will make its debut in Moncton, New Brunswick tonight for the promotions UFC Fight Night 138: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith event. The fight card is headlined by a key light heavyweight matchup featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on surging contender Anthony Smith.
Anthony Smith on Jon Jones: "I’m probably the only legitimate threat to him right now."
Chris Taylor - October 27, 2018
Surging UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes he is the only real legitimate threat to Jon Jones right now. “Lionheart”, who faces former division title challenger Volkan Oezdemir tonight in Moncton, recently shared his thought’s on “Bones” in an interview with MMA Fighting.
UFC Moncton weigh-in results: Headliners on point, Michael Johnson misses mark
Tom Taylor - October 26, 2018
On Saturday night, the UFC makes its anticipated return to The Great White North with its debut event in Moncton, New Brunswick. This UFC Moncton card will be headlined by a crucial light heavyweight contender bout between former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir and surging finisher Anthony Smith. The co-headliner, meanwhile, will see former lightweight contender Michael Johnson step in to replace the reprimanded Zubaira Tukhugov against Conor McGregor training partner Artem Lobov.
EXCLUSIVE | Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith talks Volkan Oezdemir, new weight class, and Jon Jones
Mike Straus - October 4, 2018
Perhaps no fighter is a better example of what fighting at a more natural weight class can do for your fighting career than Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. Smith has had a career rebirth so to speak this year. The 30-year-old fighter from Omaha, Nebraska has typically been a middleweight fighter in his career. Lately, however, Smith has decided that cutting down to 185 pounds and then ballooning back up to 230 pounds just isn’t worth it anymore. Let alone the damage that does to your body.
Anthony Smith believes Jon Jones will be next after what he does to Volkan Oezdemir
Chris Taylor - August 25, 2018
Anthony Smith (30-13 MMA) has scored back-to-back first-round knockouts over former UFC light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua in his most recent octagon appearances. “Lionheart” will now face arguably the biggest challenge of his mixed martial arts career when he squares off with knockout artist and former division title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 138 on October 27 in Moncton.
Anthony Smith says he is the original "No Time" — not Volkan Oezdemir
Tom Taylor - August 16, 2018
UFC light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir recently adopted the nickname “No Time.” This nickname is based on his predilection for first-round finishes. Yet Oezdemir’s next opponent, Anthony Smith, feels he is more deserving of that monicker. Anthony Smith, who battles Volkan Oezdemir in the main event of UFC Moncton on October 27, reminds that he’s produced more first-round finishes than his upcoming opponent. In fact, he’s got more first-round finishes than Oezdemir has fights.
BREAKING | UFC Moncton gets Volkan Oezdemir vs Anthony Smith as headliner
Drake Riggs - August 2, 2018
The UFC’s next event in Canada has its main event! And it’s a good one as two of the light heavyweight division’s quickest finishers face off. After his very impressive quick destruction of the legendary Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Anthony Smith was vying to fill in for Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227 against Alexander Gustafsson.
Anthony Smith calls the top of the light heavyweight division "a disaster"
Tom Taylor - July 23, 2018
When Anthony Smith knocked out former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the main event of UFC Hamburg on Sunday, he established himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division. Unfortunately, he feels the division is a bit of a disaster at present. Really, it’s easy to understand where Smith is coming from with these comments.
Anthony Smith thinks it's "mighty ironic" that Alexander Gustafsson is injured and out of UFC 227
Tom Taylor - July 23, 2018
On Sunday afternoon, Anthony Smith dispatched of another MMA legend, clubbing former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua with first-round strikes in the UFC Hamburg main event. In the wake of this incredible knockout, Smith could have called out pretty much anybody, from Corey Anderson, who won in the UFC Hamburg co-main event, to Jimi Manuwa, who sat cage-side for the card. Instead of calling out either of these men, however, he targeted a showdown with top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson, who he said he was willing to fight on two weeks notice at UFC 227 on August 4.