At UFC 310, Anthony Smith wasn’t his usual self. The veteran fighter, who had once been a title challenger, went and faced off against Dominick Reyes. This was in a fight which left him questioning his career. Anthony Smith, who had recently lost his close friend, coach, and training partner Scott Morton to a sudden heart attack, opened up about how grief affected his performance in the octagon. Despite his efforts to push through, Smith admits that his emotional state played a major role in his lacklustre performance.
Grief and Fighting: The Emotional Toll on Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith admitted on Sirius XM he wasn’t mentally prepared for the fight, noting Morton’s absence in his corner.
Anthony Smith described Morton as his “safety blanket,” someone who always provided calm and support during intense moments in the cage. Without him, Smith’s confidence wavered, and he found himself getting impatient during the fight against Reyes. Smith revealed this when he confessed;
“I got impatient,”
“I just wanted something to f*cking happen. I just forced it.”
This impatience led him to make some mistakes, questioning his abilities.
“Maybe I’m not either anymore,” he wondered after reflecting on his performance. Despite still believing he was technically on par with Reyes, Smith admitted that his head wasn’t in the right place.
Looking Ahead: Smith’s Future in the UFC
Following his defeat, Anthony Smith indicated that UFC 310 might have been his final fight, although he refrained from announcing his retirement immediately. The emotional aftermath of the fight was heavy, but Smith wasn’t ruling out the possibility of one more fight under the right circumstances.
Anthony Smith explained that, if the perfect opportunity arose, he would consider returning to the octagon for one last fight. He reflected on the idea of having a “final sendoff” where he could experience fight week one last time, share his gratitude with his supporters, and end his career on his terms. For now, he’s focused on processing his defeat and moving forward with careful consideration of what’s next.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
