UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has responded to callouts from up-and-coming fighters, including his next opponent Vitor Petrino, stating he is not a “wounded lion” to be used for others to build their name and is looking to change the narrative by defeating Petrino.
Anthony Smith, a seasoned UFC light heavyweight, has found himself in the crosshairs of several callouts. This is after enduring a rough patch over the past six years. Despite his recent struggles, he’s no stranger to the UFC’s top 15.
His last four fights, however, have been a mixed bag. Three losses, all against top-tier opponents, have left him with some ground to cover. Smith knows he has work to do to regain his footing in the division.
Setbacks haven’t deterred him. Instead, they’ve made him a popular name among rising prospects. One such prospect is Vitor Petrino, his next opponent.
Petrino’s credentials don’t quite match up to Smith’s on paper. But Smith, the 35-year-old veteran, took up the challenge for a specific reason. He’s not going to be a stepping stone for others to build their reputation. He made this clear in a conversation with MMA Fighting, stating, “we’re going to f*cking put that to bed now.”
Smith hosts a Sirius XM radio show. Leading up to UFC 301, he expressed his displeasure at Petrino’s callout. He refused to be the “new Neil Magny.”
Magny, a veteran welterweight, was a popular callout for those looking to make a name at 170 pounds. He was a top 15 ranked fighter who never shied away from challenges. Smith’s rant wasn’t meant to insult Magny.
In fact, he admired Magny for silencing critics by demolishing Mike Malott, a highly touted prospect. Smith aims to do the same by defeating Petrino.
Smith pointed out that no one has called out Magny since his last fight. He wants the same respect. He wants to be left alone. He acknowledges that he put himself in this position and it’s up to him to change the narrative.
When Petrino called him out, Smith didn’t hesitate. He immediately contacted Mick Maynard, the matchmaker. He’s grateful that the fight is happening.
Smith didn’t have to answer Petrino’s call. He didn’t have to travel to Brazil for his next fight. But he embraced the idea. He wanted to fight at UFC 301 and win in Brazil.
He liked the style matchup and the fact that Petrino called him out. He told Maynard that if Petrino was ranked by Tuesday, he’d fight him in Brazil. And that’s exactly what happened.
Smith understands the perception that he’s on a downward trend. But he insists that’s far from the truth. His record may not reflect it, but he believes he can beat anyone at 205 pounds in the UFC.
He takes responsibility for his position. He understands why fighters like Petrino feel confident enough to call him out. But Smith is determined to end that narrative in a violent fashion.
Smith is done with the nonsense. He feels he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s still learning and adjusting his game. He hasn’t lost his speed or reaction time. He’s not banged up. He’s ready to prove himself once again.