Anthony Smith recently spoke with matchmaker Hunter Campbell about pursuing a career in Power Slap after retiring from the UFC.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith, after a loss to Dominick Reyes at UFC 310 in December, looked destined for retirement following his third loss in his last four fights. But Smith has since adopted that stance and is in the midst of a fight for his last hurray in the Octagon.
Smith has defeated the likes of Ryan Spann, Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir during his light heavyweight career. Although he has never held a UFC title, he has been a mainstay in the light heavyweight division's title picture for years.
In addition to being a UFC fighter and analyst, Smith has expressed public support for slap fighting and Dana White's Power Slap promotion. He is one of the few UFC personalities who have publicly defended punch fighting and endorsed it as a legitimate combat sport.
But Smith recently wanted to take his fandom one step further in a recent conversation with UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, and it didn't go the way he expected.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Anthony Smith says Hunter Campbell has put a stop to Power Slap ambitions
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Smith shared how his targeted Power Slap debut was stopped by the UFC brass.
“I tried, but they said no,” Smith said. “Upright. I asked Hunter, and he said no. He wouldn't even take it to Dana!'
Smith would have become the latest former UFC standout to appear on Power Slap. Last year, former UFC women's flyweight contender Paige VanZant made her Power Slap debut, defeating Christine Wolmarans before a unanimous draw against Chelsea Dodson in October.
Smith did not elaborate on Campbell's reasoning for abandoning his Power Slap aspirations, but the damage he suffered during his fighting career may have played a factor in Campbell's stance.
Anthony Smith is ready for the UFC finals in April
Smith explained to Ariel Helwani that he has booked his UFC return for an upcoming event in April against an unknown opponent. He said his upcoming fight will be the last of his career after 17 years in MMA.
Power Slap's next event takes place on January 30 in Las Vegas, with a main event between Layne Viernes and Vasily Kamotsky.
Smith made his UFC debut in 2016 after stints in Cage Fury, Bellator and other promotions. A three-fight winning streak at light heavyweight led to him earning a title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 235, losing by unanimous decision.
As Smith's apparent UFC final draws closer, his Power Slap ambitions have been halted by UFC executives. While Campbell, White and the rest of the UFC team may change their minds, it appears Smith will have to remain just as strictly a fan of slapfighting going forward.
Related topics
Comments