Dominick Reyes continued his resurgence at UFC 310 on Saturday evening, incomes a second consecutive victory with a TKO win over fellow former title challenger Anthony Smith.
Regardless of Reyes’ success, the struggle was marked by emotional and weird moments from Smith, who’s grappling with the latest lack of considered one of his coaches and pals.
Smith entered the Octagon visibly affected, crying all through his walkout. His feelings carried into the struggle, resulting in an uncommon mid-fight second that Reyes mentioned on the post-fight press convention.
“After I went into the cage – I haven’t been round Anthony a lot in my life, for the report – however I may see he was emotional,” Reyes mentioned. “That’s a harmful man. He’s mentioned it himself: he’s combating for a buddy, and he doesn’t care concerning the consequence. He simply needs to really feel one thing.”
Reyes described a shocking trade within the first spherical when Smith dropped his palms and requested him to punch him.
After the struggle, “Lionheart” hinted at the potential for retirement, a sentiment echoed by UFC CEO Dana White, who instructed it is likely to be time for Smith to step away. The veteran gentle heavyweight has now misplaced two consecutive fights, together with a choice defeat to Roman Dolidze at UFC 303.
“There was a degree within the first spherical when he put his palms down and simply mentioned, ‘Punch me within the face,’ and I obliged. That’s my job. My job is to complete you and get you out of there, whether or not you’re going by one thing or not. If you happen to’re going to offer me free pictures, I’m going to hit you. We’re skilled fighters, and it’s a really harmful sport. God bless Anthony.”
“HE PUT HIS HANDS DOWN AND TOLD ME TO PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE”Dominick Reyes says Anthony Smith purposely put his palms down throughout their struggle and instructed him to punch him within the face as a result of he needed to really feel one thing.#UFC310 pic.twitter.com/Ph6hUSnSAg
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) December 8, 2024
Reyes, for his half, acknowledged the problem Smith is dealing with however reiterated his personal focus.
“Dropping somebody isn’t simple; I’ve misplaced folks this 12 months as nicely, and it’s horrible. I’m glad he received to return out and be the warrior that he’s — that is his outlet,” Reyes mentioned. “My job is to win and provides my finest efficiency, and that’s all I used to be targeted on. No matter you’re going by, when the door closes, it’s wartime.”
Smith’s future in MMA stays unsure, however his emotional journey at UFC 310 highlighted the deeply private battles fighters usually face exterior the cage.
Learn Extra: Ciryl Gane Pissed off By Early Toe Damage He Says Impacted UFC 310 Efficiency
Source link
