Anthony Smith made his final walk to the UFC octagon on Saturday evening — but it was not the fairytale ending he had hoped for.
In the co-main event at UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City, Chinese powerhouse Zhang Mingyang proved too strong, stopping the veteran with brutal ground-and-pound at 4:03 of the first round. Smith (37-22 MMA, 13-12 UFC), who announced his retirement after the bout, simply could not keep up with the relentless pace.
From the opening bell, the fight exploded into action. With the Kansas City crowd loudly chanting “U-S-A,” Mingyang fired off heavy shots, forcing Smith onto the back foot. “Lionheart” landed some sharp elbows, but Mingyang also found his mark — opening a nasty cut that saw blood pour from Smith’s forehead.
Sensing an opportunity, the 26-year-old turned up the heat. After forcing Smith to turtle up, Mingyang unleashed a barrage of strikes that left the referee no choice but to step in.
The win keeps Mingyang’s UFC record perfect at 3-0, all via first-round finishes. The rising star from China had already made headlines with dominant wins over Brendson Ribeiro and Ozzy Diaz — and his victory over Smith only cements his growing reputation.
Soaking in the boos from the American crowd, Mingyang grinned and said in English, “I know you don’t know who I am, but now you know.”
After the fight, Smith was given time on the mic for an emotional farewell. The 36-year-old thanked the UFC for changing his life and wiped away tears as a tribute video played, featuring music by Jelly Roll and comments from some of the sport’s biggest names. In a fitting gesture, Smith left his gloves in the centre of the octagon — a symbolic act of retirement.
Smith walks away from MMA after a long and respected career that included over 20 UFC fights and a shot at the light heavyweight title. He now turns his attention to a future in broadcasting and other post-fight ventures, with his family and fans behind him.
Photo: Ian Maule/Getty Images
