Anthony Smith honors late coach, hints at retirement post-UFC 310

In a deeply emotional moment at UFC 310, Anthony “Lionheart” Smith signaled what may be the end of his storied MMA career following a hard-fought bout against Dominick Reyes. The veteran fighter, visibly moved, shared his feelings during the post-fight interview, reflecting on the recent loss of his best friend and longtime coach, Scott Morton.

“I don’t know how many times I can do this,” Smith admitted.

“Scott was my best friend, and I thought I could push it down. But I couldn’t even control it walking in here.”

The pain of Morton’s absence was palpable as Smith described the emotional toll it took on him throughout the fight and his preparation, with online sportsbooks reacting by pricing him as an +270 outsider.

When asked if this fight might be his final appearance inside the octagon, Smith responded with uncertainty, hinting that his retirement is likely.

“Man, I don’t know. Probably,” he said.

“But it’s been a long road, man. I wanna think on it. Well, probably.”

The broadcast took a moment to honor Morton, a guiding presence in Smith’s career for nearly two decades.

As Smith considers his next steps, the MMA community reflects on his remarkable career and the resilience that defined his time in the sport.

Whether his path continues in broadcasting or another octagon, Smith’s contributions to MMA will leave an enduring legacy.

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