Anthony “Lionheart” Smith isn’t stressing about wins or losses anymore. He’s coming back to the ring on Saturday, December 7, 2024, after a rough performance at UFC 303, and he’s feeling fired up. This time, he’s going up against Dominick Reyes, another fighter who’s chased the title before. The fight will be part of the UFC 310 ‘Prelims.’
During UFC 310 media day on December 4, 2024, Anthony said he’s not bothered by the outcome of fights anymore because he doesn’t have much time left in his career.
“I don’t give a f—k about winning and losing,” Smith told the media. “I just got some things I want to accomplish, and if I accomplish those things, I win. But it is what it is. You know, I’m just not super focused- it’s not like I’m not going to try to win. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying I’m just not focused on the wins and the losses…there’s definitely been times when I’ve been focused on trying to just get a win that I end up trying not to lose, and I’m just done with that shit. I don’t have that much longer left, so I’m gonna go, just gonna go in and have some fun.”
Lately, Anthony Smith hasn’t had the best streak, bouncing between wins and losses in his last few fights. He even went through a tough time with two losses in a row. But he’s still had some big moments, like when he took down Vitor Petrino in Brazil earlier this year.
Right now, though, Anthony is really upset and ready to let all his anger out when he faces Dominick Reyes. He’s looking to take it all out in the fight.
“Like I said, I didn’t come here [to win]. I need to destroy something. That’s why I’m here,” Smith said. “It might be myself, like maybe I run into a f—king buzz saw and leave not the same way I came here, and I’m good with that too. I went to fight Alexander Gustafsson right after I fought Jon Jones, and I didn’t go there to win either. I wanted to punch someone in the face because I felt so shitty about losing the title fight. I want to f—king break something, and this is my outlet. I can’t do what I really want to do anywhere else with no consequences. That’s why I’m here. I don’t give a f—k about winning at all, not even a little bit. I haven’t even f—king thought about it. I want to f—king break something, and here’s where I get to do that.”
Anthony Smith is using #UFC310 as his outlet after the recent death of a longtime friend.
“I can’t do what I really want to do inside, anywhere else, with no consequences. That’s why I’m here. I don’t give a f*ck about winning.” pic.twitter.com/xCYHzP9sKS
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) December 4, 2024
Anthony Smith got really sad when he talked to the reporters. He told them about his friend and coach, Scott Morton, who suddenly passed away. It made Anthony feel pretty upset because just a few weeks ago, he found out that Scott was gone.
For a long time, Anthony Smith and his coach, Scott Morton, were a team, and they shared many memories, not just in fights but as close friends. They helped each other through good times and bad. Now, for the first time in over ten years, Anthony will walk into the octagon without Scott there beside him.
Dominick Reyes said he feels sorry for what Anthony Smith is going through before their big fight at UFC 310, but he also said it won’t stop him from doing what he needs to win. Reyes wants to get his second win of 2024 after beating Dustin Jacoby earlier this year. He had a tough time before that, losing three fights in a row, including some really hard knockout losses.
“I’m expecting to win. I can sympathize a lot with what Anthony’s going through right now but it’s not my chair, not my problem. I’ve gotta handle my business for me and my family.”
