Anthony Smith Reveals Why He Decided to Retire After UFC Kansas City Fight

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 21, 2025, 17:10 IST

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Anthony Smith, a 36-year-old UFC light-heavyweight fighter, announced his retirement after his final fight on April 26, 2025, against Zhang Mingyang. Smith reflected on the challenges of balancing family life with fighting and cited the passing of a close friend as pivotal in his decision.

Anthony Smith Reveals Why He Decided to Retire After UFC Kansas City Fight

(Image source: Getty)

After a massive career with the UFC, Anthony Smith has announced his retirement from fighting. The 36-year-old light-heavyweight fighter confirmed his retirement after his last fight scheduled for April 26, 2025, during UFC Kansas City. This fight will see Smith face Zhang Mingyang in what is expected to be a very emotional farewell.
Smiths' career at UFC hit the highs and the lowest of his life after losing to Jones in their fight at UFC 235 in 2019 concerning the light heavyweight title. Smith has never been associated with the extreme breakage and long streak of losses similar to B.J. Penn and Tony Ferguson, but there is no denying that Smith was not the same dominant force that he used to be after losing to Jones in 2019. Nonetheless, Smith continued to fight, earning recognition as a fighter with resilience and determination.
Anthony Smith Shares His Career Journey in an Interview with MMA Fighting

In a candid interview with MMA Fighting, Smith admitted he may have stayed in the sport longer than he should have. “I probably stuck around too long already, if we’re being honest,” he said with a laugh. Reflecting on his career, Smith shared that balancing fighting with family life became increasingly challenging. “It comes down to being a dad and a husband. I’m super involved, but it’d be nice to slow things down,” he explained.
Smith also opened up about the toll of training camps, which often kept him away from his loved ones. The recent passing of a close friend, Scotty, made the decision to retire easier. “Once Scotty died, it made it really easy. This thing is different for me now. Retiring feels like leaving something that doesn’t feel normal anymore,” he said.
As Smith prepares for his final fight, fans are left wondering if he’ll go out with a win. Regardless of the outcome, his legacy as a fierce competitor and a dedicated family man will remain intact.
Also Read: Unstoppable? Magomed Ankalaev is Closing In On Jon Jones' Unbeaten Streak
April 26, 2025, will mark the end of an era for Anthony Smith, as he steps away from the octagon to focus on the next chapter of his life.

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TOI Sports Desk

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