In the final fight of his career, Anthony Smith stepped inside the Octagon at UFC Kansas City for a scrap with Chinese knockout artist Mingyang Zhang.
A perennial contender in the light heavyweight division, ‘Lionheart’ has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world, including Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson, Glover Teixeira, Aleksandar Rakić, and Khalil Rountree Jr. Making the walk for the 25th time, Smith was ready lay down his gloves—win or lose—and bid fight fans a farewell in ‘The City of Fountains.’
Round 1
Smith comes out and declines to touch gloves. Zhang gets things started with a series of calf kicks. Smith moves in quickly and looks to land against the fence, but Zhang defends and gets right back to taking Smith’s lead leg. Zhang throws a combination, and Smith clinches up against the fence. Smith separates and gets back to work, stalking Zhang around the Octagon. Zhang connects with another nasty leg kick, but Smith fires back with a step-in elbow.
During the exchange, Smith gets busted open and is bleeding profusely from his head. Zhang looks to get his elbows going as Smith is struggling to see because of the blood running into his eye. Smith backs away and shoots for a takedown just past the halfway point of the round. Zhang sprawls and punishes Smith with some ground and pound. Smith is leaving pools of blood on the canvas as Zhang unleashes a slew of elbows that force referee Jason Herzog to step in and stop the bout.
Official Result: Mingyang Zhang def. Anthony Smith via TKO (ground and pound) at 4:03 of Round 1.
Check Out Highlights From Anthony Smith vs. Mingyang Zhang at UFC Kansas City:
Zhang ground and pounds tf outta Anthony Smith #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/L3acnb6LsL
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) April 27, 2025
Mingyang Zhang stops Anthony Smith in the final fight of his UFC Career
Though he didn’t get the win, Smith is a legend of the game 🙏🏻#UFCKansasCity
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) April 27, 2025
Mingyang Zhang stops Anthony Smith in the final fight of his UFC Career
Though he didn’t get the win, Smith is a legend of the game 🙏🏻#UFCKansasCity
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) April 27, 2025
