- Anthony Smith likened Carlos Ulberg’s style to Isreal Adesanya
- “Lionheart” feels like the UFC will book him for a title fight if he and Alex Pereira both win at UFC 303
Anthony Smith sees some similarities between Carlos Ulberg and Israel Adesanya but he would try and secure a win at UFC 303 and possibly earn a title shot at Alex Pereira.
Smith expects a full fight with Ulberg
Speaking to Believe You Me podcast, “Lionheart” pointed out that he is laser-focused on figuring out how to dismantle Ulberg. Smith said that he wouldn’t engage with “Black Jag” in a plain standup fight as it’s where Ulberg fights like Izzy. Instead, Smith plans to have a “full fight” with his opponent.
“I’m not going to go out there and stand in front of him because that’s stupid that’s where he’s best especially when he gets his swag and he starts feeling himself, he feels good, he gets to his spots. He does mirror Izzy in a lot of ways. The way that they defend, they lean back, they both counter really well,” Smith assessed.
“But I think you make it a full mixed martial arts fight and make him worry about the wrestling, the clinch, the grappling, and I got the gas to do that. We can fight everywhere and I’m gonna force him to do that. I’m confident that over 15 minutes he’s not gonna be able to stay at, first round, I think he’ll be really, really tough. I think he’ll defend takedowns well, he’ll manage the range really well. I think you just keep chipping away at him and I think we’ll get him out of there, but I feel really good about it,” he continued.
“He’s a tall task. He’s really good at what he does. He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s got a big opportunity in front of him, and I got to remember that when these guys fight me, I’m their world title fight, and they’re trying to make a name off me and I gotta make sure that doesn’t happen,” he added.
A title fight could be next
Bisping was quizzing Smith for comments about the possibility of him finally getting a title shot with a win over Ulberg. For “Lionheart,” that is likely to happen if Pereira also beat Jiri Prochazka in the main event.
“If I cut a promo on Alex Pereira right afterwards, it lines up… Jiri’s very hittable, if we’re just being honest. I’m sure Alex feels very confident that he can get in there and touch him,” Smith said.
Smith only stepped in to replace Jamahal Hil, who suffered an injury ahead of UFC 303. On the other hand, Ulberg also did the same after he came in as a replacement for Khalil Rountee, who tested positive for a banned substance.
Watch Smith’s full podcast episode below:
