Anthony Smith, the long-time UFC light heavyweight contender, has announced his decision to retire from mixed martial arts after one final fight. The 36-year-old fighter spoke candidly with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, shedding light on the personal and emotional struggles that influenced his choice.
Smith, who last stepped into the octagon at UFC 310 in November 2023, suffered a TKO loss to Dominick Reyes in the second round. The experience left him reflecting on his mindset leading up to the fight.
“I just decided that I can’t go out like that,” Smith admitted during his conversation with Helwani. “You know? Crying on the way to the cage, having a God damn panic attack, and just upset and sad. Going in there and letting Dominick Reyes punch me in the face just to feel something other than grief—I just didn’t want to do that.”
Looking Back at a Long Journey
Smith began his MMA career in 2008 and made his UFC debut in 2013, following a stint with Strikeforce. By 2016, he became a consistent presence in the UFC, and his biggest moment came in 2019 when he fought Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 235. Although Smith fell short via unanimous decision, he proved himself as one of the division’s toughest competitors.
While discussing his career with Helwani, Smith shared his plans for one final fight: “We’re going to go one more time. One more and that’s it for me.”
Smith emphasized that his decision is final, regardless of the result.
“It’s one more. It’s win, lose, or draw, that’s it,” he said, reflecting the sense of closure he seeks with his retirement fight.
April 2025: The Final Chapter
Smith’s farewell fight is expected to take place in April 2025, with the UFC fully supporting his decision. For Smith, this isn’t just about leaving the sport but doing so on his own terms, closing out a career defined by resilience and perseverance.
As Smith prepares for his last walk to the octagon, people who followed his journey and fellow fighters will remember him as a competitor who gave his all in every fight, even when facing personal struggles.