Anthony Smith using as outlet to grieve friend’s death

LAS VEGAS – Anthony Smith is combating for a unique and really private motive when he steps into the octagon with Dominick Reyes at UFC 310.

In a matchup of former mild heavyweight title challengers, Smith (37-20 MMA, 13-10 UFC) is ready to tackle Reyes (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) on Saturday’s card at T-Cell Enviornment (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+) in what is a crucial struggle within the general panorama within the careers of each contributors.

All of that’s moot to Smith, nonetheless, as a result of simply three weeks in the past, he went by a private tragedy. His longtime pal and coach Scott Morton suddenly died, and “Lionheart” is reeling from the fallout.

“I have to destroy one thing,” Smith instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day. “That’s why I’m right here. It may be myself. Possibly I run right into a f*cking buzzsaw and go away not the identical approach I got here right here, and I’m good with that, too. I went to struggle Alexander Gustafsson proper after I fought Jon Jones, and I didn’t go there to win, both. I wished to punch somebody within the face as a result of I felt so sh*tty about shedding the title struggle.

“Saturday, I wish to f*cking break one thing, and that is my outlet. I can’t do what I actually wish to do inside, wherever else, with no penalties. That’s why I’m right here. I don’t give a f*ck about successful. In any respect. Not even just a little bit. I haven’t even f*cking considered it. I wish to f*cking break one thing, and right here’s the place I get to do this.”

Smith has been by many attempting moments in his private and aggressive life. Regardless of one other one being thrown his approach, he pushed ahead and confirmed as much as UFC 310 struggle week.

He hinted that he didn’t do this so he may honor Morton’s reminiscence, although. That’s not sufficient in his thoughts to do justice for the connection they’d.

“By no means (combating in his reminiscence),” Smith mentioned. “The smallest factor that Scott was to me is a coach. He was like my mentor and my large brother and I’ve by no means lived as an grownup with out Scott guiding me by life. So this combating sh*t is admittedly faux on the finish of the day. This a giant f*cking dog-and-pony present. I don’t give a sh*t about any of that. However getting a win and having the chance to inform the world about him afterwards, stand there with Joe Rogan, means quite a bit. That can be cool for me. However by way of the rest, it doesn’t matter.”

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