Anthony Smith fought for much more than the typical fight that results in his last appearance of the UFC.
The UFC 310 in December was one of the few times in the 59 Smith fights that he fought without his longtime coach and best friend, Scott Morton. Known for its incredible tenacity and persistence, “Lionheart” had a hard time before going to the octagon for his confrontation with Dominick Reyes. Even now, he is not entirely on the absence of Morton, if he will never be.
Although Smith suffered a TKO defeat in the second round, it was not there. He entered the arena at night to do what he did without regret.
“I cried every day on training and on the way back,” said Smith on Tuesday on “The Ariel Helwani Show”. “I was in absolute sorrow. I couldn’t even think directly. I still miss my friend. But after the fight, I cried very little. I think I needed to heal. It was – I don’t know. I did the same after my mother’s death. Psychopath (laughs).
“When the fight took place, I immediately realized that he was in a mixed martial arts competition of which I did not want to be part. I was not there for a competition. I was there for healing and To enter a fistfight.
Smith, 36, was open to her feelings before the fight. Speaking during the UFC 310 Media Day, he said he didn’t care if he had won or lost.
Although the result is still not ideal, because Smith hoped all the imaginable chaos and violence, he thinks that it could have won. Fortunately, for the unique challenger of the light heavyweight title, he received a small relief push before walking.
The featherweight competitor of the UFC, Bryce Mitchell, was to compete a fight after Smith fought Reyes. If it was not for the “thug” of Arkansas, Smith’s certainty could have been completely lost.
“I owe Bryce Mitchell a gratitude debt,” said Smith. “He was in my locker room, and I don’t know he could say that something was happening, but he had this other piece that was a bit out of mine. I don’t know if he could say something was something Extract, and I was a little emotional, but I hold it together, but I would like to become in the shower to lose it for a second, then bring it together. The strangest thing, but I felt more comfortable for any reason.
“They said,” Anthony, you walk in two minutes. “And I felt like, I don’t know, Bryce is a person really based on faith. And I put my hand on the back of his head, and I said:” I need you ».
“I don’t remember exactly what he said, but I felt a little – I don’t know – very uncertain all day,” he continued. “I don’t know what I was not sure. But leaving this moment with Bryce, I had the impression:” Ok, you know exactly what you are supposed to do. “I felt good. For me.
Smith has always been a very active fighter throughout his MMA career (38-21). Over the past two years only, he has fought three times, carrying his total number of years of combat at this frequency or more to 13.
The post-combat scene of the UFC 310 was rough for Smith. The emotions overwhelmed the veteran, indicating that it was perhaps the last time we saw him fight. However, Smith revealed that he could not leave sport on such a heavy note, and he reserved everything for the Grand N ° 60.
“It’s one more,” said Smith. “It is winning, losing or shooting. That’s it. I do (know when). April. It was more than time and the place (than the opponent).”
Before Morton passed before Reyes’ fight, Smith planned to make three or four others. According to himself of everything he does in life and his feelings following these changes, Smith is happy and will not push him beyond the next time.
“I’m just finished. It was a bit for me,” said Smith. “You know when Khabib (Nurmagomedov) said he didn’t want to do it without his father? Is that a bit what I feel.
“I think I would regret not having done (this next one) for me. The last one had the impression that it was for him, and give me the opportunity to do things in the training camp that I may not have done before. Last training camp, I spent a little more time at home with Scott, I rebounded with Din Thomas, I went to Arizona with Javier Torres, and I am sure that I will do a little for This next training camp and I will get a little time in – like spending a few days with (Ray) Longo, bouncing everywhere I always wanted and being a student for many people for whom I have a lot of respect. To do this, it’s just to do it knowing that that’s it.
(Tagstotranslate) Anthony Smith (T) Bryce Mitchell (T) UFC (T) Scott Morton (T) Chris Unger (T) Dominick Reyes
