UFC Veteran Retires In The Octagon After Taking Bloody Beatdown

When Anthony “Lionheart” Smith introduced that Saturday evening’s battle in opposition to Zhang Mingyang can be his closing battle, he did not envision issues going the way in which they did through the co-main occasion of UFC Kansas Metropolis.

Zhang destroyed Smith within the first spherical, leaving him bloodied in the course of the Octagon, ushering the veteran of 60 professional MMA fights out of the game in probably the most unceremonious approach potential.

Here’s a take a look at the end in addition to a shot of Smith’s gloves left within the heart of the Octagon.

To be trustworthy, I can’t ever bear in mind a fighter saying their retirement battle beforehand and being crushed extra soundly than Smith was on Saturday. It was a bit cringeworthy.

The UFC and the near-16,000 individuals in attendance on the T-Cell Area in Kansas Metropolis helped to melt the blow. The UFC performed a tribute video for Smith along with his household and coaching companions by his aspect within the Octagon.

The video featured Laborious Fought Hallelujah by Jelly Roll, with a foreword by the award-winning music artist and tributes from Smith’s UFC saying colleagues Laura Sanko, Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, and others.

The video additionally included photographs of Smith’s late coach and finest good friend, Scott Morton.

Here’s a take a look at Smith’s speech after the loss.

After the UFC’s video performed, many within the UFC and MMA group took to social media to pay their respects.

Smith spent a profession within the UFC taking up challenges that few others would. Saturday’s final result wasn’t the storybook ending he may need needed, but it surely underscored simply how brutal the battle recreation will be.

Smith’s story is excellent. It’s one among resilience and getting probably the most out of what one has. Nevertheless, whereas he did as soon as problem for the UFC mild heavyweight championship, Smith isn’t a Corridor-of-Famer.

Followers can change into prisoners of the second at instances like this, but it surely merely doesn’t match on this case. Smith has a profession report of 37-22 and he’s 13-12 within the UFC. Whereas his longevity must be celebrated, and he does a wonderful job as an analyst, that’s not a Corridor-of-Fame resume. Nevertheless, that is way over most individuals will accomplish within the sport.

UFC followers who’ve watched Smith’s profession unfold in actual time had been on the coronary heart of Saturday evening’s emotional farewell. There’s one thing a couple of fighter who by no means ducked an opponent and at all times confirmed up that creates a long-lasting connection. That’s what made Smith’s departure sting a little bit extra, even when we knew it was coming.

The most important ripple impact lands on Smith himself, but it surely additionally touches the UFC’s mild heavyweight division. Smith had change into a well-known title within the Prime 10 for years, and his departure opens up new house for up-and-coming fighters to interrupt into the rankings. It additionally impacts the UFC’s broadcast crew, the place Smith will now be a full-time presence.

Main as much as the battle, Smith made it clear that this is able to be his closing bout. He did not dodge questions on it throughout battle week and appeared snug within the choice. What nobody anticipated was simply how shortly the battle would unravel for him. Zhang confirmed up able to destroy the send-off, and he did precisely that.

Smith will now return full-time to his analyst duties with the UFC. His perception and talent to speak the nuances of the game have already made him a standout on broadcasts. Along with his preventing profession formally behind him, Smith can have the chance to proceed making his mark within the MMA world with out absorbing the punishment that outlined a lot of his time contained in the Octagon–most just lately on Saturday evening.