Don’t anticipate to see Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith step as much as the Energy Slap podium anytime quickly.
Having misplaced three of his final bouts contained in the Octagon, Smith is gearing up for what would be the remaining combat of his profession. Throughout a latest look on The Ariel Helwani Present, the one-time UFC title challenger revealed that the promotion promptly shut down the opportunity of him competing at a Energy Slap occasion.
“I attempted. They advised me no,” Smith advised Helwani. “Straight up, I requested Hunter [Campbell] and he advised me no. He wouldn’t even deliver it to Dana. I don’t know. He mentioned no.”
Whereas Energy Slap has acquired its fair proportion of criticism from fighters and followers alike, ‘Lionheart’ has been one of many few to specific his love for the game.
“I can not get sufficient of the Energy Slap League,” Smith mentioned on MMA on Sirius XM in February 2023. “My physique is prepared for a pay-per-view. I’ll pay for it. I don’t care how a lot it prices. I’ll pre-pay. I’ll pre-pay the subsequent 10. I adore it. I don’t know why. I can’t provide you with a motive – perhaps as a result of I used to be there throughout the pilot of it and I’ve seen it in particular person.”
‘Lionheart’ prepared to present it yet one more go contained in the octagon
Whereas we might by no means see Anthony Smith slap the sh*t out of somebody on Rumble, we’ll a minimum of get to see the perennial mild heavyweight contender compete as soon as extra earlier than laying down his gloves for good.
“It’s yet one more,” Smith mentioned. “Win, lose, or draw, that’s it.”
No opponent has been introduced, however Smith did affirm that his final stand will go down this April.
