Anthony Smith dismisses online trolls ahead of UFC 301: ‘Fans are stupid’
Anthony Smith has gotten plenty of flack from fans online and he’s firing back.
Smith’s role as a UFC analyst and frequent podcast guest have opened him up to criticism from online commentators, most of whom are quick to insult the veteran light heavyweight when they disagree with his takes. At this point, Smith is used to it.
However, that doesn’t mean “Lionheart” takes all of the digs from trolls lying down.
“Some of it is the position I put myself in as being an analyst,” Smith said at UFC 301 media day. “Fans are stupid. They are. Like, you guys write an article and they don’t read the article. They just read the headline and they just make up the rest in their head. If they actually read it, almost everything I say makes a lot of sense. Every once in a while, maybe I have some crazy takes, but it’s not that often.
“Honestly, me and my friends play a game: What kind of crazy shit can I say to see what the fans will say? Then they just play into it. They can’t separate me as an analyst and me as an athlete. When I’m talking about someone as an analyst, I don’t put myself into that.”
One piece of analysis that Smith has taken flack for is evaluation of UFC light heavyweight champion and former middleweight champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan,” a veteran kickboxer, has torn through two divisions in the UFC despite a limited amount of pro MMA experience, and Smith hasn’t hesitated to point out holes in his game.
Smith takes solace in his belief that knowledgeable fans and fighters understand where he’s coming from.
“I can talk about Alex Pereira all I want,” Smith said. “I’m not talking about how it would be with me. I’m not even saying I’m better than he is. How I feel about myself personally has nothing to do with what I’m talking about. I’ve said he’s a fantastic striker, no lies there. I said he’s probably not a great grappler. Does anyone in this room think he’s a black belt grappler? Come on. I’m not being disrespectful. I’m saying what he’s done at this level for as long as he’s done it is amazing.
“[Daniel Cormier’s] loud ass out there said the exact same thing and no one said shit, but as soon as I say it, because I’m still competing, they have a problem with it. I’ve just gotten to the point where I don’t really care. It doesn’t matter. The fighters know that I’m speaking the truth. You don’t see anyone coming up in hallways trying to fight me about it. They know I’m right.”
Smith has the chance to vent whatever frustrations he may have with the fan base in his upcoming fight at UFC 301. He takes on Vitor Petrino at Saturday’s event in Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of bouncing back from a loss and handing the 11-0 Petrino his first.
Regardless of the background static that comes from his commentary work, Smith feels like he is mentally in the best place he can be.
“It’s the most important part,” Smith said. “If I’m not having fun, I might as well not do it. I fight like shit when I’m not having fun. If I’m not enjoying the process and that team atmosphere, there’s no point in me doing this. So the happier I am, the more dangerous I am. I’m in a really good spot. I’m happy.
“I’ve always talked about my personal life — and I don’t mean that as, like, my marriage or kids — just where I’m at in my day-to-day, where I’m at in my own head, makes a big difference on my performances. I’m in a great place. I’ve done the work, I’ve spent time with a therapist and worked on all that stuff that’s going on in my brain, and I feel good. So it changes from time to time, fight to fight, it’s different, but this one I’m in a good spot.”