Anthony Smith received one last reminder that the fight game is as harsh as it gets.
“Lionheart” entered Saturday’s UFC Kansas City co-main event knowing it would be the final fight of his 17-year career, but he was surely hoping for a better outcome as he was battered and bloodied by fast-rising light heavyweight contender Zhang Mingyang.
Zhang hurt Smith with an elbow in the opening round and then finished with ground-and-pound as Smith’s blood splashed the canvas. Referee Jason Herzog gave Smith plenty of time to recover, but it became clear there was no coming back from Zhang’s assault and Herzog signaled the end of the fight—and Smith’s career—at the 4:03 mark.
Unsurprisingly, Smith’s peers praised him for his efforts and for his contributions to MMA, though former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos took umbrage with what he perceived to be a late stoppage.
“What a terrible stoppage,” Dos Anjos wrote. “Get this man fired.”
“Anthony Smith has fought all the [killers in] his career,” Dos Anjos also wrote. “Guy is a beast. Happy retirement.”
Check out social media reactions to Smith’s last fight below.
Anthony Smith has fought all the killer on his career! Guy is a beast. Happy retirement #UFCKansasCity
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) April 27, 2025
“I did that shit!” – Anthony Smith
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) April 27, 2025
As a fighter, the fight game is rarely what you want it to be. It just reveals for better or worse. The perfect storybook retirement fight is a rare one.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 27, 2025
Congrats Anthony smith on a great career.
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) April 27, 2025
I’m never tellin the ufc im retiring. I dont want a retirement fight no way
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 27, 2025
brotha beautiful family thanks for the fights smith
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 27, 2025
Want to wish @_LionHeartMMA the best of luck in his final MMA fight. You have been an inspiration for many my friend. Congratulations on a great career
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) April 27, 2025
