Anthony Smith hasn’t been kind to competitors who don’t make weight, and he won’t be now that he’s tipped the scales himself.
The UFC 283 main event was Jamahal Hill vs. Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title, but the former challenger for that title failed to make weight for his backup bout. His assistance wasn’t required. Both Hill and Teixeira were able to compete after making their weight. Hill was declared the winner via unanimous decision.
Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Smith (36-17 MMA, 11-7 UFC) entered the ring four pounds over the 205-pound limit. Fans were reassured by Anthony Smith that he tried his best to make weight but that it didn’t work out.
“It wasn’t for a lack of effort,” Anthony Smith said on Michael Bisping’s “Believe You Me” podcast. “It wasn’t for lack of effort. I spent 48 straight hours cutting weight. It wasn’t a lack of effort. No one saw me on the scale looking like I had an additional 20 pounds to lose. I got close, but it wasn’t close enough, and it’ll never happen again.
“I’ll be the first one on the scale for my next fight. And I’m not a serial weight misser. It happens. It wasn’t on purpose.”
Anthony Smith won’t make excuses for his missed weight
Smith will not offer any justifications, although he did note that many behind-the-scenes activities go unnoticed by the audience.
Smith’s attitude toward athletes who underweight is unchanged, as is the severity of his judgement. He declared that he will keep calling out anyone who don’t reach the agreed-upon weight.
“I’ve been an absolute a**hole about people missing weight,” Anthony Smith said. “You have one job: You have to show up on weight. That’s the easiest part of the job. I stand by everything I’ve said about everyone else. You have to make weight. That is not an option. I’ll accept whatever sh*t is coming my way. It doesn’t change my perspective on anything.”
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