Why is light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith fighting a middleweight at UFC 303?
Anthony Smith Fighting Middleweight Roman Dolidze
This question is something that Anthony Smith is looking to answer himself. This is after the number 10 ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze would have to fill in for Carlos Ulberg. This was after Carlos Ulberg was ruled out of the fight due to picking up an injury. This fight is scheduled to be on the main card of UFC 303 which will take place this Saturday. Speaking at the UFC 303 media day (transcribed by MMA Junkie) Anthony Smith explained;
“I think him moving up says a lot about my division,”
“So, if you guys want to do your jobs, go ask every available light heavyweight why there’s a middleweight fighting this fight. They’re going to make up a bunch of sh*t, but I think you guys can read between the lines.”
“Every single one of them said no”
“So, I’m the veteran, I’m the gatekeeper, like whatever those guys say. ‘Well, why is Anthony getting paid so much and why does he get this opportunity?’ Because I’m willing to do this sh*t that you guys won’t do. Me fighting a middleweight on Saturday proves that to everybody. I think all those guys just got exposed.”
Anthony Smith believes he knows the reason for fighting a middleweight. This is due to everyone else saying no. Anthony Smith is questioning the decision-making of everyone in the division. This is due to them all rejecting the fight against him. He says this is why he is getting so many different opportunities from the UFC as he takes everything that the UFC throws at him. This is different from the rest of the division who run away from challenging which is shown by so many fighting and rejecting the chance to fight him this weekend.
Featured image credit to Embed from Getty Images
