Anthony Smith, known as a former rival of Jon Jones, has expressed interest in coming out of retirement to compete in an unprecedented UFC event set to take place at the White House. This event, announced by former President Donald Trump as part of the America250 celebrations, will transform the presidential residence into a 25,000-seat arena. Smith revealed his hopes to fight in the heavyweight division at this landmark occasion, despite his earlier retirement following a loss to Zhang Mingyang.
Having stepped away from professional fighting, Smith has since joined the UFC’s broadcasting team and launched a podcast named On Paper. Nevertheless, the opportunity to participate in the White House event has tempted him to reconsider his retirement, as he stated willingness to return if the UFC matchmaking team finds him a place on the fight card.
Smith’s Statement on Potential Comeback and Desire to Fight
On his podcast, Anthony Smith openly discussed the possibility of resuming his fighting career specifically for the White House event. He emphasized that while he does not want to continue fighting regularly, the unique setting motivates him to make an exception. Smith mentioned the need to re-enroll in the UFC’s testing pool and look for a suitable opponent alongside Jon Jones, highlighting his readiness to compete regardless of whether the bout is on the preliminaries or main card.
“I don’t want to fight MMA anymore, but… I would wanna hundred percent [fight at the White House],”
Anthony Smith stated on his podcast.
“If Mick Maynard told me that there was a chance they could put me on that card, I’d be back. I’ll have to re-enroll into the testing pool, me and Jon Jones and we have to find someone at heavyweight.”
Strong Fan Backlash Against Smith’s Announcement
The reaction from UFC fans to Anthony Smith’s plans to return met with widespread negativity. Given his declining performance toward the end of his active career, many supporters expressed doubt that a comeback would be successful. Fans reminded Smith of his many fights and losses, including his lone title bout, implying that a return could lead to more defeats rather than triumphs.
One critic succinctly advised Smith to avoid returning just to suffer another loss, saying, “Unretire to get an L.” Meanwhile, prominent MMA figure Dillon Danis openly voiced disapproval, tweeting bluntly:
“Ain’t one person wants to see Lionfart come out of retirement.”
Social media users additionally mocked Smith’s chances by joking about potential opponents, with comments like,
“Smith vs White House chef is his only chance for a fair fight.”
Others made it clear there was no desire to witness Smith fight again, stating, “Absolutely nobody wants this.”
Several fans viewed a loss at the White House as especially embarrassing for an American fighter. One sharply commented,
“Nobody wants to see Anthony Smith Embarras America by Quitting on the White House Lawn.”
Criticism Extends to UFC’s Decision and Fighters’ Retirement Patterns
Beyond disapproval of Smith’s comeback, some fans expressed dissatisfaction with the UFC holding an event at the White House itself. Remarks criticized the organization for appearing to stage a spectacle designed to please Donald Trump rather than focusing on the sport.
“UFC fighters ready to do a circus for Trump,”
one user remarked, reflecting growing unease about the politicization of the sport’s venues.
Additionally, frustration was directed toward athletes repeatedly retiring and returning to the octagon, a trend highlighted by Jon Jones’ recent activity. A fan vented about the lack of finality in these retirements, questioning their sincerity:
“Is anybody else sick of these fake f—ing retirements? Like seriously, etf is the point of retiring just to f—ing come back?”
Anthony Smith’s Transition and the Debate on a Possible One-Off Fight
Since retiring, Anthony Smith has managed a smooth transition to roles outside of active competition, gaining respect as a UFC commentator and media host. This shift has sparked debate among fans and analysts regarding whether returning for a singular event is a wise choice or an unnecessary risk to his legacy.
The significance of the White House fight as a first-of-its-kind UFC event adds complexity to Smith’s decision. While the venue offers historic weight and high visibility, it also amplifies scrutiny of any fighter’s performance there. Smith’s desire to compete at heavyweight in such a notable setting prompts questions about whether nostalgia can overcome his recent losses and whether the UFC aims to capitalize more on star power than competitive merit.
Ultimately, fans remain divided, and the broader MMA community is watching closely as the UFC’s matchmaking team evaluates potential participants for the White House card. Whether Anthony Smith will answer the call and step back into the cage remains uncertain, but the controversy surrounding his announcement reflects the heightened tensions within the sport’s evolving landscape and fan expectations.
Our Reader’s Queries
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