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It was one other tough evening on the workplace for Anthony Smith, who lived as much as his nickname “Lionheart” but once more by surviving a 15 minute assault from Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida.
The combat was Smith’s first since a second spherical TKO loss to Magomed Ankalaev in July 2022. That point his physique couldn’t sustain along with his psychological willpower: he tried to fight through a broken ankle suffered within the first spherical, however Ankalaev got here in for the kill and snapped Smith’s three combat win streak.
Towards Walker, it regarded like “Lionheart” was struggling along with his psychological sport. At one level he appeared to be attempting to psych himself up with some fascinating accusations directed in the direction of his opponent.
“Now you assault my household,” he stated to Walker within the second spherical. “You’re attacking my family1”
“What? What?!” a confused Walker replied.
Walker refused to be goaded right into a brawl. As an alternative, the Brazilian mild heavyweight punished Smith mercilessly with leg kicks en path to a 30-27, 30-27, 29-28 determination victory. Even earlier than Bruce Buffer revealed the winner, “Lionheart” had taken off his gloves and it regarded like he may announce his retirement. However with time being tight on the ABC broadcast, we by no means obtained to listen to what Smith needed to say concerning the defeat.
His retirement was left an open query, one addressed by UFC president Dana White on the post-fight press conference.
“Anthony, I assumed he was going to retire too,” White stated. “I believe after the combat he stated to some folks within the again he needs to consider it, however I don’t know. He at all times involves combat. He obtained busted up, he obtained harm, and he did what he does: he toughs it out. It regarded like that combat was a few leg kicks away from being over.”
In a submit to Instagram, Anthony Smith addressed the defeat.
“Congrats Johnny Walker and staff,” he wrote. “I’ve a number of reflecting and pondering to do. Because of everybody who’s and nonetheless are sticking by me.”
The 34-year-old has a number of miles on his physique. He’s had 54 professional MMA fights, incomes himself a 36-18 file (11-8 UFC). Even in his wins he usually takes a number of injury, and it’s unclear whether or not he’s nonetheless obtained the juice left for an additional run on the mild heavyweight title. Contemplating he’s managed to partially transition right into a profitable UFC desk analyst, is it price it for him to maintain combating?
We’d argue he’s already shed greater than sufficient blood for our leisure.
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