‘Don’t want to be here’... Anthony Smith reveals emotional trauma overshadowing UFC 310 return

Updated Dec. 5, 2024, 10:35 p.m. by Curtis Calhoun 1 min read
NBA News

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is carrying enormous weight on his shoulders ahead of his UFC 310 showdown with Dominick Reyes.

Anthony Smith is arguably in a must-win situation ahead of UFC 310.

But for the former title challenger, winning is the furthest from his mind ahead of his upcoming clash with the always-dangerous Dominick Reyes.

Smith and his team are in the initial stages of grief after the loss of coach Scott Morton last month.

Smith and Morton were inseparable during the formers UFC career, including when Smith fought for the belt against Jon Jones .

For the first time in Smiths career, Morton wont be by his side as he makes the walk to the Octagon in front of thousands of fans on Saturday night.

Ahead of UFC 310, Smith was brutally honest about what these final days before another fight mean to him.

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Mike Tyson ringside Anthony Smith: Something has to be destroyed after tragic loss During a recent interview with ESPN s Brett Okamoto, Smith opened up on his state of mind amidst dealing with the loss of his friend and preparing for a big spotlight.

To be honest, I dont want to be here, Smith said.

I wouldve rather flown in Thursday night, weighed in Friday morning and just fought and leave.

Sometimes, this whole fight week thing is a big f***ing circus, its not real.

The basis of everything is the actual fight, all this other dog and pony show, it makes it something that its not.

Where Im at personally, I just dont give a s*** about the circus show.

The lights, cameras, comments, people that dont actually know what the f*** theyre talking about, trying to pretend they do...

Something has to be destroyed, whether its him or me.

Something has to break.

I think I have a f***ed up mindset when things arent going my way, something has to break.

Its kind of like I have to throw a tantrum a bit like a kid...it has to go somewhere, or Ill go insane...[Scott] built a foundation in which Ive been standing my whole career.

Started training with Scotty when I was 17, 18, and our connection was tight right away.

Ive never lived as an adult without him, I dont know what the future is like and how I stay here, without him.

As of this writing, Mortons cause of death hasnt been made public.

Smith went on to explain how one of Mortons final wishes was for him to walk away from fighting soon, and UFC 310 could be his final Octagon appearance.

READ MORE: The Butcher vows to finish 18-fight veteran at UFC 310 before joking that he cant wait to smack one of his fans Anthony Smith looks to snap losing skid in potential UFC finale While grieving the loss of his longtime friend and coach, Smith is looking to get back on track in his fighting career after a string of recent defeats.

After initially being on the cusp of a title shot against Alex Pereira , Smith has sled out of the title mix at 205lbs.

In recent years, Smith hasnt pulled punches when discussing his love-hate relationship with mixed martial arts and fighting.

Hes hinted at retirement numerous times during his up-and-down run in the UFC, including after his most recent loss to Roman Dolidze at UFC 303.

Smith is looking to get back in the win column after losses in four of his last six fights.

His last win came against Vitor Petrino by first-round submission at UFC 301.

Regardless of Saturdays fight result, Smith has his fallen friend on his mind ahead of UFC 310.

In what could potentially be his last UFC hurrah, Smith will look to pay tribute to Morton and put on another signature performance.

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This article has been shared from the original article on bloodyelbow, here is the link to the original article:

https://bloodyelbow.com/2024/12/05/dont-want-to-be-here-anthony-smith-reveals-emotional-trauma-overshadowing-ufc-310-return/