Anthony “Lionheart” Smith has mostly traded in his gloves for an analyst role, but the former UFC light heavyweight challenger is still competing. He most recently fought Dominic Reyes at UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura on Dec. 7, 2024, and suffered a KO/TKO in the second round.
Following the loss, Smith opened up about potentially retiring from MMA, though he did not officially confirm that. Now, the light heavyweight has divulged his retirement plans to Ariel Helwani.
Smith joined “The Ariel Helwani Show” to reveal that he plans to fight one more tight before hanging up the gloves.
Smith stated to Helwani:
“Yeah, it’s one more. Win, lose, or draw, that’s it,” Smith stated.
Helwani then asks if the UFC is “on board” with Smith’s final fight, to which he replies, “Oh yeah.”
Helwani then attempts to see if Smith will reveal who his final opponent will be, but Smith chooses not to break that news for fear that he might get in trouble with the UFC.
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Smith did state that the fight will take place in April at some point, and his final opponent was more about “time and place.” Regardless of the specifics, he will fight one more time for the UFC before presumably transitioning into a full analyst role.
This story will be updated…
