Looking to make one more run at the light heavyweight title, Anthony Smith returned to the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 83.
Emanating from The APEX in Las Vegas, ‘Lionheart’ stepped up to take on one of the hottest fighters at 205, Khalil Rountree. ‘The War Horse’ entered the contest as a winner in his last four with three of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Round 1
Anthony Smith comes out immediately looking to put pressure on Rountree, tracking him around the cage. Smith delivers a nice kick to the body that lands. Rountree responds with a combination to the head and the body. Smith lands a solid right hand and quickly tries to tie up, but Rountree reverses position and presses Smith against the fence. Smith gets free and both fighters return to the center. Rountree uncorks a big right hand that connects.
A calf kick from Smith lands. Rountree throws a big right hand that misses the mark and Smith throws a front kick in response. A big left hand from Rountree busts Smith open with 90 seconds to go in the round. Smith throws a looping right hand that connects. Rountree comes back with a brutal body kick followed by a left that narrowly misses.
The power of Rountree doesn’t deter Smith from moving forward, throwing a right hand that gets countered with a brutal left from Rountree that sends Smith backward until the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Rountree kicks off the second with another nasty body kick and Anthony Smith quickly tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage wall. Rountree reverses again, putting Smith’s back against the wall before separating. Smith lands a nice right hand on the break. As they return to the center, both fighters look to let their hands go. Rountree lands a big hook that encourages Smith to drop down for a single leg, but Rountree defends and stays on his feet.
A straight right from Smith lands. Rountree comes back with a right hand of his own that connects. Smith throws a right and Rountree unloads a 1-2 combination. A right from Rountree catches Smith on the forehead. Smith returns fire with a front kick to the body. Rountree gives him a receipt, landing his own booming body kick.
Both fighters continue to trade in close with Smith leading the dance, but Rountree is landing the more effective strikes with his counter-attack. Things would continue that way until the second round horn sounds.
Round 3
Rountree comes out with a couple of low kicks to the lead leg of Anthony Smith. ‘Lionheart’ marches forward and eats a big uppercut followed by a left that rocks Smith. On wobbly legs, Smith starts stumbling backward, eventually going to the ground. Rountree approaches with his arm raised ready to deliver a hammer fist, but he hesitates, allowing the referee time to step in and call for the stoppage before inflicting further damage.
Official Result: Khalil Rountree def. Anthony Smith via KO (strikes) at 0:56 or Round 3.
Check Out Highlights From Anthony Smith vs. Khalil Rountree at UFC Vegas 83 Below:
A "sambadinha" de 🇺🇸 Anthony Smith enquanto era nocauteado por 🇺🇲 Khalil Rountree Jr, agora há pouco, pelo UFC Vegas 83. #ufcbrhttps://t.co/o7BxsJmBsq
— MMA Melotto (@MMAmelotto) December 10, 2023
Khalil Rountree Jr🇺🇸 -130 2 units ✅
Absolute violence #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/glDgLtaAUK
— Maestro MMA (@mmamaestro_) December 10, 2023
A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR @KHALILROUNTREE!! 😱 #UFCVegas83 pic.twitter.com/Iro4cmvaLa
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 10, 2023
