Anthony Smith has officially closed the chapter on his MMA career, retiring after his final bout against Zhang Mingyang at UFC Kansas City on Saturday.
The veteran light heavyweight was defeated by a first-round knockout, ending a journey that spanned over 60 professional fights.
Anthony Smith Issues First Statement After Retirement
Shortly after his defeat, Smith shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. Posting a backstage photo of himself receiving medical treatment, the 36-year-old expressed deep gratitude toward the UFC, his fans, and his opponent.
“That’s a wrap! Congrats to zhang. The LHW division is on notice. You’re gonna have a great career. Thank you to all the people who have supported me all these years. I was never good enough to make it this far…I’m just really happy that it all happened. Thank you to the ufc for saving my life,” he wrote.
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Smith retires with a professional MMA record of 38-22, a resume that includes several notable wins and a reputation for resilience and grit. Though he never captured a UFC title, his career was marked by high-profile moments, including his famous decision to continue fighting Jon Jones after absorbing an illegal knee at UFC 235.
At his peak, Smith was a staple of the UFC light heavyweight division, known for his willingness to step into the Octagon against top-tier competition on short notice. His move from middleweight to light heavyweight revitalized his career, leading to memorable performances against fighters like Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir.
Smith’s decision to retire was influenced by personal tragedy, as the passing of his longtime coach, Scott Morton, in late 2024 deeply impacted him.
In a candid interview with MMA Fighting, Smith admitted he may have delayed retirement longer than he should have. “I probably stuck around too long already, if we’re being honest,” he said, reflecting on the difficulty of balancing his fighting career with family responsibilities.
Training camps, long periods away from home, and the emotional toll of recent events all played a part in his decision.
Heated Moment with Fan After Final Fight
Emotions ran high at UFC Kansas City as Smith received a raucous welcome from the crowd during his walkout. The city, where he built his early career, showed him overwhelming support with an emotional video tribute before his co-main event clash against Zhang.
However, after the loss, tensions flared. Bloodied and visibly frustrated, Smith flipped off a fan in the front row while attempting to exit the octagon. Although some initially speculated he had an issue with someone from the broadcast team, commentator Laura Sanko clarified during the broadcast that Smith’s gesture was directed at a fan in a white T-shirt who had been heckling him.