Topic: UFC Discussion
Anthony Smith is changing the guard: 1 legend at a time
Anonymous Mode
You are not logged in to Tapology. When browsing anonymously, profanities and images are automatically removed from the forum.
07.23.2018 | 4:08 AM ET
As a middleweight Anthony Smith was a wrecking machine. In spite of that he made the wise decision to go up a class and fight closer to his natural weight. He has proven to be a precision killing machine so far and though I do not believe he is ready to fight for a title in the immediate future, I believe he will prove his mettle by the end of 2019.
Like all fighters on the rise Anthony Smith will be truly tested when he fights a top 3 opponent, where the levels change drastically. He will likely rip Teixera, and Corey Anderson to pieces, and his precision striking and counter strikes wll put Volkan down within 1 round so...maybe Jimmy and definitely Gus and DC are his only true challenges remaining. Based on his skills, his mind set, his intelligence and his ferocity I believe that Anthony Smith will soon be a contender for the Light Heavyweight Belt.
* Edited at 07.23.2018, 4:07 AM ET *
"I'd rather be ashes than dust"
Responses
07.23.2018 | 4:23 AM ET
Anthony Smith is a good banger, but he's amounted a win streak composed largely of guys who are over the Hill, including Rua, Evans, and Lombard. He has thirteen losses, and is thirty years old. The only truly emerging talent he has faced, who is Thiago Santos, absolutely demolished him.
I've picked him to win in his last two, but I honestly don't think he has anything for guys like Oezdemir. Gustavson, or really anyone with decent striking defense and conditioning. He's basically a two-round fighter who has always struggled with energy management, and if he can't impose his forward-pressure attack he gets worked, because he simply doesn't have a plan B.
I very much doubt he beats Anderson or Manuwa. Glover is clearly done as we all saw today so yes, he might win that by KO, but he very well may not because Anderson has strong wrestling, which is something Smith does not. So that would likely be a slugfest and whoever landed first would win. 50/50 fight. Or Texiera just subs him.
The long and short of it is, Smith's run at the title will end with anyone who isn't totally shopworn, can slip a punch, and can return fire. Or just not get sparked and steal two rounds before going to town on him in the third.
* Edited at 07.23.2018, 4:24 AM ET *
07.23.2018 | 5:55 AM ET
I actually want to see him fight Latifi next, but that fight might be better for Corey given that Ilir is one of the few ranked guys he hasn't fought yet. Smith vs Blachowicz would be good also.
07.23.2018 | 3:07 PM ET
"Duck, I want to sleep with my wife tonight,"
07.24.2018 | 3:38 PM ET
07.24.2018 | 4:49 PM ET
"He will likely rip Teixera, and Corey Anderson to pieces, and his precision striking and counter strikes wll put Volkan down within 1 round so...maybe Jimmy and definitely Gus and DC are his only true challenges remaining."
I'm not even gonna bother =/
07.26.2018 | 5:41 PM ET
"Where are my shoes?"
07.26.2018 | 9:38 PM ET
07.27.2018 | 5:47 PM ET
* Edited at 07.27.2018, 5:47 PM ET *
"I am the greatest blonde man in the world. I am Tru Viking." - Alexander Gustaffsson / "The world must bow to my glory. I am a God amongst mortals. They must pay me tribute in wine and concubine for my deeds." - Jon Jones "