UFC 310 was an emotional experience for former title challenger Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith after he admitted during Fight Week that he 'didn't want to be here' following the tragic death of his coach Scott Morton.
The legendary 'Lionheart' broke down in tears both during his UFC 310 stoppage and during his exchange with Joe Rogan in the octagon, although the most disturbing moment was when he appeared to purposefully drop his hands to prevent damage from 'The Devastator to welcome.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Dominick Reyes says Anthony Smith welcomed damage at UFC 310
Dominick Reyes scored the second-round knockout of Anthony Smith at UFC 310 last night, although there's an argument the fight could have been stopped in the first round when it became clear 'Lionheart' wasn't in the match at all.
“Anthony is a true warrior, and he will fight to the end, he wanted to fight to the end,” Reyes stated at the post-fight press conference, adding “he had to feel something tonight” after the death of his long-time coach and friend.
“So when I got in the cage – I haven't been around Anthony much in my life – but when I got in the cage with him, he was emotional, right? That's a dangerous man, as he puts it. He fights for a friend, and he doesn't care about the outcome, he just wants to feel something.
“There was a point in the first round when he put his hands down and was like, 'Hit me in the face,' and I obliged…. That's my job, my job is to finish you off and get you out of there.”
While Reyes acknowledged that Smith remains one of the most popular and respected fighters on the entire UFC roster, he simply couldn't let the finish slip just because the Lion's heart was broken.
“Whether you go through something or not, whether you give me free shots or not, I'm going to hit you – we're professional fighters, this is a very dangerous game, you know, God bless Anthony.
“Losing someone is never easy. I've also lost people to me this year and it's horrible. I'm happy for him to come out and be the warrior that he is, this is his outlet… My job is to win, to deliver my best performance, and that's all I was focused on. So no matter what you go through, when the door closes, it's wartime.”
Dana White begs Smith to retire after loss at UFC 310
Anthony Smith was one of several UFC veterans to suffer painful losses in Las Vegas, with Clay Guida submitted in the first round by Chase Hooper, before Chris Weidman was knocked out in the second round by Eryk Anders.
When asked what each of these three veterans should do next, Dana White simply said, “They should all retire tonight,” a sentiment echoed by countless fans, including Smith.
“Man, I don't even care what the fight is,” Smith told Rogan in the octagon.
“I don't know how many more times I can do this. This man was my best friend, and I thought I could push him down, but I couldn't even control it when I came in here, so I don't know, I have to think for a moment, but I don't know how many times can I do this without him.
When the veteran commentator asked if he was retiring, Smith simply said, “Man, I don't know. Probably. It's been a long road, I'll think about it, but probably yes.”
If UFC 310 is the last time we see Smith in the octagon, he will leave the sport with an outstanding legacy – one that will continue throughout his post-fight media career.
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