Unforeseen Matchup
Anthony "Lionheart" Smith didn’t have any particular opponent in mind for his last fight, and the one he ended up with surprised him. Set to face Zhang Mingyang at UFC Kansas City on April 26, Smith initially found the matchup peculiar given their substantial experience gap. Smith, with 24 UFC fights and a light heavyweight title challenge under his belt, was about to face Zhang, who is making just his third appearance in the octagon. Despite the initial shock, Smith took the time to understand the logic behind the booking. "I didn’t have any suggestions, but I was very shocked with the matchup, for sure," Smith said on his On Paper podcast. "That wasn’t a bad thing, I just was not expecting that one, but once I kind of looked into him a little bit and sat on it, it makes a lot of sense why they would go in that direction."
Accepting the Decision
After giving it some thought, Smith is at peace with the decision. He recognizes the challenge of finding a suitable opponent for Zhang, a fighter still making a name for himself in the UFC with an 18-6 record. Smith believes that Zhang’s exciting style and hyper-aggressive nature make him a perfect candidate for an engaging final bout. "I have a lot of conversations with these guys—and if they did, they’re probably not going to tell me—but Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have always told me that they don’t care who wins," Smith said. "They want good fights. They want interesting matchups. And they put people in positions and it’s up to you to do what you what you do with it." Smith’s trust in the matchmakers’ integrity is evident, and he sees this fight as an opportunity to provide both himself and Zhang with a memorable performance.
A Career of Reflection
Smith’s most recent fight, a second-round knockout loss to Dominick Reyes at UFC 310, was particularly difficult for him. He was dealing with the recent death of close friend and coach Scotty Morton, which heavily impacted his mental state. This loss marked his fifth in the past seven fights, a tough period for any fighter. Despite these setbacks, Smith remains committed to giving the UFC and its staff a proper farewell. "I didn’t get to conduct myself as if it was the last matchup or as if it was the last fight," Smith said. "Obviously, I didn’t enjoy training camp at all, but I didn’t get to enjoy training camp knowing this is my first last week of camp. Then you get into fight week, like this is the last fight week and the last weight cut, and I didn’t get an opportunity—and not that I’m not going to see these people again because I do work for the UFC and do a lot of the broadcast stuff—but I didn’t get to tell everyone that helps me, that helps all of us do our jobs, how appreciative I was of what they do."
Gratitude and Goodbyes
Smith’s decision to fight one last time is deeply rooted in gratitude. He wants to use this final opportunity to express his appreciation to everyone who has supported him throughout his career, from the UFC staff to the people who handle the mundane tasks that often go unnoticed. "And that’s every single person on the UFC staff. That’s even down to the people that pick you up from the airport, the PI staff that does your meals that you kind of just come and grab them and leave, I don’t know that they get to hear how appreciative people are all the time because it’s just such a rat race," Smith explained. This fight is not just about performance; it’s about acknowledging the community that has been a part of his journey. "But I want to walk through that fight week and weight cut and when you show up to the arena and just know not only is this the last time I have to do this, which there is a little bit of excitement about that, where I get to go on and I’ve got a whole life ahead of me, hopefully."
Preparation and Perspective
As for his mental state heading into the retirement bout, Smith admits that he hasn’t had much time for introspection. The immediate focus is on getting in shape and preparing for the physical demands of the fight. "I really haven’t thought about that part of it too much," Smith said. "It’s just that I’m fat… so I’ve got to get my weight down and get into shape to start training camp. So that’s really what I’m focused on. I haven’t really gotten too deep into the fight camp feel mentality." This pragmatic approach reflects Smith’s resilience and his commitment to finishing his career on a strong note, even if the emotional weight of his final fight hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
A Fighter’s Legacy
Anthony Smith’s career in the UFC has been marked by moments of triumph and resilience, as well as challenges and setbacks. His final fight against Zhang Mingyang is a testament to his enduring love for the sport and his respect for the community that has supported him. As he prepares to step into the octagon one last time, Smith’s goal is to leave a lasting impression and to ensure that his farewell is as memorable as his career. Whether it results in a highlight reel moment or a hard-fought battle, Smith is determined to make the most of this opportunity. His legacy as "Lionheart" will forever be remembered in the UFC, and this final bout is the icing on the cake of a remarkable journey.
