Anthony Smith recently explained why he flipped off a fan at UFC Kansas City. “Lionheart” also shared how his opponent, Zhang Mingyang, acted as the voice of reason during the tense moment.
Anthony Smith on Flipping Off Fan at UFC Kansas City, Zhang Mingyang’s Reaction
Smith’s latest fight was a light heavyweight showdown against China’s Zhang Mingyang. They co-headlined the UFC Kansas City event at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on April 26, 2025. The fight ended with Mingyang scoring a dominant first-round TKO victory, leaving Smith with a deep cut and heavy bleeding from his head.
While still inside the Octagon, Smith appeared to get into a verbal altercation with someone seated among the crowd. He flipped off the person, believed to be a fan, before moving toward the fence. Mingyang followed him and seemed to be pleading with him not to escalate the situation.
Smith eventually calmed down and completed his post-fight Octagon interview, thanking the UFC, the fans, and everyone who supported him throughout his career. He then confirmed that the fight was the last of his professional MMA career, officially announcing his retirement. Smith is expected to continue working with the UFC as an analyst and on-screen personality.
Speaking to ESPN MMA, the Texas-born, Nebraska-based Smith recounted the incident with the fan.
“Yeah. There was a guy in a Nebraska shirt. And he was, like, booing me, and flipping me off, and kind of talking trash before the fight. But I was really focused on what I had to do,” Smith said.
He added, “And then, after the fight, his friend is cheering, and he’s still flipping me off and saying some pretty disrespectful things. But I was so mad. He was wearing a Nebraska shirt. Like, what are you doing? We’re supposed to be family here. Like, there’s not a very big community of people here.”
Smith also confirmed that Mingyang stepped in, urging him to walk away.
“Mingyang is like, ‘Don’t do this, brother. You gotta quit,'” Smith said.
“Lionheart” admitted that Mingyang acted as the voice of reason in the emotional moment. He explained that the fan’s hostile behavior hit especially hard given the way the fight had played out.
“I just couldn’t believe that, like, I pour my heart and soul into this game. And I don’t care if you think that I suck or I’m not very good. If you’re sitting in the crowd, you’re definitely not doing what I’m doing. So, like, you can’t — especially wearing a Nebraska shirt — you can’t talk trash wearing a Nebraska shirt. Come on, now,” Smith said.