Anthony Lionheart Smith Suffers a Difficult Loss in the UFC’s Toughest Division

by matmartial · Published May 15, 2020 · Updated May 15, 2020

anthony smith
lionheart
ufc
glover teixera
my teeth are falling out
tko
loss
referee
stoppage
knock out
Jacksonville
Florida — UFC Light Heavy Weight Anthony Lionheart Smith

The match up between Glover Teixiera and Anthony Smith on Wednesday night in Jacksonville was one of the tougher fights to watch in recent memory.

Most Brutal Division in MMA

The UFCs Light Heavyweight Division is the most brutal in the sport of MMA. There’s no other division like it.

Anthony Smith got really beat up. The thing is that he was hitting Teixiera hard for the first two rounds. Then something happened. Smith either gassed out, or I think I might have even seen a moment weakness. It seemed to me that Smith picked an odd moment to admire his handiwork in the third round.

Smith was smashing Glover’s face in the rounds one and two. He was taking advantage of his reach and really landing hard on Glover’s face. Towards the end of the second round, Smith landed a few really good right hands to Gover’s left eye. The last right hook to the eye really damaged it. The eye immediately swelled shut and Glover’s vision was impaired.

Trading hard punches with Glover Texiera

Smith and Teixiera came out at the beginning of round three and continued to trade hard, hard punches. I’m telling you, there is nothing like the UFC’s Light Heavy Weight Division. Nothing.

But there was something about Anthony “Lionheart” Smith’s dogged determination in the war against Teixiera. He didn’t have to tell his corner at the end of the 4th round, “My teeth are falling out.” But he did tell them that. Still, no one threw in the towel. And the fight continued.

The two former 205 pound title contenders, took to the center of the Octagon for the fifth and final time just before midnight. The arena was empty. Devoid of fans. Two giant men tried to beat each other unconscious with their fists in the center of the cage.

Anthony Smith has the heart of a lion

Each had his shot. But at the end of the night, referee Jason Herzog stepped in and ended the contest. Smith was done.

Maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad if Glover had been able to submit Smith in the third or fourth. He has Smith on the mat in each of those two rounds. He had his back in each round and held Smith down and under control for over six minutes in those two rounds.

Smith wouldn’t give up.

Glover Teixiera won the fight via TKO at 1:04 of the fifth round. Everyone was relieved the fight was over. It was uncomfortable to watch. Announcer, UFC Former Light Heavy Weight Champion and Heavy Weight Champion Daniel Cormier, continued to criticize Smith’s corner during the entire fight. And you could hear that he was right. You knew he was fight. But even if Cormier didn’t criticize the corner, the fight was still hard to watch.

Anthony Smith took a brutal beating at the hands of Glover Teixeira

Something happened at the beginning of the third round. Either from exhaustion or ego, Smith took his foot off the gas. And Teixiera pounced. As much as an old man can pounce.

Teixiera is big, strong, and possess years of veteran experience even in the practice room having been the main training partner for UFC legend Chuck Liddel.

Smith took a severe beating. Maybe it wasn’t exhaustion or ego. He was hurt badly. It was hard to watch and our hearts go out to Anthony Smith and the Lionheart family.