Anthony Smith

Anthony 'Lionheart' Smith is one of MMA's great grinders. He fought for years across multiple weight classes, paying his dues on the regional scene and in the UFC, before a surge at light heavyweight earned him a 2019 title shot against the pound-for-pound great Jon Jones.

Long, rangy and aggressive, Smith is a finisher at heart - dangerous with both submissions and knockout power, and famous for the toughness that earned his nickname. He racked up wins over names like Rashad Evans and Alexander Gustafsson and spent years as a respected top-ranked gatekeeper in a brutal division. His record sits around 37-22.

For newcomers, Smith is a fan favorite for his heart and honesty. Beyond his fighting, he built a parallel career as one of the sport's most insightful and candid commentators, which has kept him a beloved figure even as his in-cage career wound down.