Anthony Smith, a veteran lightweight contender, took a stand against fellow fighters in his division, expressing disappointment when those weren’t given the chance to fight at UFC 303. His candid comments come as he briefly prepares for another challenge the reminder of the.
Smith’s Early Chance
Weeks before UFC 303, Anthony Smith was in peak form, helping Jamahl Hill prepare for his co-main event fight against Carlos Ulberg. Smith arrived at UFC officials, ready to fight and eager for every opportunity, showing he was ready for a major event.
But plans suddenly changed when Hill injured his knee, which pulled him out of the fight. As fate would have it, Smith and the expected Ulberg also started when Ulberg himself got injured.
Background and Quick Decision Making
Despite the obstacles, Smith chose to retire. Instead, he stayed on the card, ready to face any opponent the UFC threw his way. His commitment was rewarded by another opponent: Roman Dolidze, a middleweight contender moving up to lightweight for this fight.
A Critical Look at the Lightweight Division
Smith’s reaction to the rival change was slow. He criticized lighter heavyweight fighters who refused to move up, insisting that Dolidze’s desire to move up a weight class underscored the reluctance to do so.
“Proven” Warriors
Smith’s frustration was palpable. “In terms of impact, I think his continuity says a lot about my department,” Smith declared. “If you want to do your job, ask every lightweight in existence why a middleweight is fighting this. There will be excuses, but I think you can read between the lines. Each of them said no.”
Smith, a respected officer and self-proclaimed gatekeeper, felt the reluctance of his peers meant it. He saw his fight against the middle class as a clear indication of how risk-averse some in his division were.
The Challenge of Change
Smith admitted the transition from fighting Ulberg to Dolidze wasn’t ideal, but he didn’t stop him. “I’m not really that much of a change guy. So that initial ‘Aww, motherf*cker’ is,” Smith said, expressing initial frustration.
Despite the displeasure of other lightweights, Smith praised Dolidze for taking the fight for a while and moving up a weight class. “A serious shout out to Roman Dolidze,” Smith said. “That catches the ball. The dude flew back to the states to get in there, even with a weight group, against a ranked opponent. That’s a huge one. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that.” Smith recognized the challenges Dolidze faced, and acknowledged that both fighters were stepping into tough situations with little preparation.
The Expected Battle
Despite the frustrations and challenges, Smith is excited about the fight against Dolidge. He believes this matchup will be an interesting rivalry, with both fighters known for their aggression.
An Upcoming “Barnburner”
“It’s going to be an absolute barnburner,” Smith said in anticipation. “He’s not going to take a backward step, and neither am I. Guys that are like that are my kind of guys. Guys like that have my utmost respect. You get a little nervous at that part, but it’s also exhilarating. That’s a nice feeling. I still do this because of it.
