Anthony Smith Wants To Rematch Aleksandar Rakic

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Anthony ‘Lion Heart’ Smith has secured another win. He has now racked up three back-to-back wins in the highly active light-heavyweight division. In his last fight, he fought rising contender Ryan Spann at UFC Fight Night 192. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one. The fight was insane as long as it lasted. After the fight, Smith revealed his further fighting plans in the division. He went on to call out his former opponent Aleksander Rakic. Smith faced Aleksandar Rakic on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 175. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

“That’s what I wanted,” Smith told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC Fight Night 192 post-event press conference. “That’s what I asked for. It’s the fight I’ve been talking about. It’s nothing personal. Me and Rakic have had nothing but positive exchanges with each other both before and after the fight. It’s purely competitive. I want his spot. He took mine, I want to take it back.”

In addition to losing his ranking to Rakic, “Lionheart” said he’s still bothered by what that loss represents. He said he was in a “dark place” following a brutal TKO defeat to Glover Teixeira in May 2020, and he wasn’t where he needed to be mentally for his training camp and in the fight with Rakic itself.

“No disrespect – I think Dominick Reyes is an easier fight (than Rakic), but that doesn’t get me closer to the title,” Smith said. “I need what’s going to get me closest to the title fight. We could hang around and wait for the loser of the title fight, but I don’t want to wait. I think for me stylistically – not saying for everyone – but for me, Rakic is probably the toughest fight out of those (top) five guys.”

“What do I got to do? Who do I have to beat?” Smith said. “I beat the old guys and people said they were too old. Now I beat the young guys and everyone says they’re not ranked high enough. What the fck do you want me to do? I don’t give a fck anymore. I’m doing what I have to do and fighting the guys in front of me.”

Ion Cutelaba Calls Out Anthony Smith

Fellow light-heavyweight contender Iomn Cutelaba after his brilliant performance against Devin Clark has called out Anthony Smith. The bout between Cutelaba and Clark took place on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192. Cuțelaba knocked down Clark in round one, going on to dominate the bout, and won by unanimous decision.
“I’m ready for a new show, a new fight. … Let’s go with (Anthony) Smith. I’m ready for you, for me, and an important win. Let’s fight in a main event.”
Anthony on the other hand is looking forward to the fighters who are ranked higher than him and wants fights that will move him closer to another title shot.