Anthony Smith believes he could get a title shot with a statement win on Saturday.
Smith stepped up on short notice to face Rountree in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 83 on Saturday. It’s an intriguing matchup, and although Smith is the betting underdog, but he believes there is no clear-cut next contender for Pereira, so ‘Lionheart’ believes that could be him.
“I just think I need to not give him any other option,” Anthony Smith said at UFC Vegas 83 media day. “I know champions want to feel like they make all the decisions, if there is no clear contender and I go in there and look really good and put myself in a position where people start asking for it, that will be the fight. We got to hurry up and do it quick because we have Ankalaev and Johnny Walker fighting, let’s do it quick and they want to sign it really fast before those guys fight.”
Anthony Smith says winning the title would silence the doubters
Anthony Smith and Alex Pereira have had a rivalry, so a story is there for a potential fight. If Smith does get a title shot against Pereira and wins the title, he says that would validate his entire career and prove he’s one of the best.
“I think it would mean more (to win the belt off Pereira). Since Jon left, the title’s been kind of playing hot potato a little bit. Really all I’ve ever wanted is for my journey to be recognized, you know? I think taking it off of Alex would validate me,” Smith said. “I don’t think anybody could really say anything about that. People would have to respect that. I think it’s a tall task. I think it’s a really tough fight, and that means something as well. Yeah, I think that would mean a lot to me.”
To get a title shot against Pereira, Smith will need to beat Rountree on Saturday. But, even then, ‘Lionheart’ may still need another win or two.
