To shore up the allure of the upcoming UFC 301 spectacle, the pay-per-view showcase will feature a light heavyweight clash between former title challenger Anthony Smith and burgeoning contender Vitor Petrino. Smith hopes to end the 1-3 tailspin in which he finds himself, with knockout losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree at the forefront. The veteran 205-pound mainstay owns an 8-6 divisional record in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and aims to kick off his 2024 campaign with a bang. Meanwhile, Petrino, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, has rattled off four victories within a span of 12 months. That was enough for the division’s stalwarts to take notice, and he has now been tasked with the challenge to take on the No. 10-ranked Smith. The Brazilian can expect to curry some favors from the matchmakers should he upend “Lionheart” this Saturday at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
7: With seven finishes to his credit, Smith has cemented his spot at No.7 in divisional history.
4: Smith has four submission wins on his UFC record, tying him for sixth-best in the light heavyweight division.
5: Occupying the ninth spot on the divisional ladder, Smith has recorded five post-fight bonuses throughout his career.
54: Smith has rattled off 20 knockout victories throughout his career, accumulating a 54% finish rate on that front.
38: The 35-year-old Smith has recorded 14 submission wins, which constitute 38% of his professional total.
11: Petrino has 11 victories on his ledger. The imposing 205-pound prospect has not lost a single fight so far.
64: Petrino has a reputation for possessing dynamite in his hands, punctuated by the seven knockout victories that he has rattled off in his career. They account for 64% of his total.
4: The Brazilian also has four first-round finishes in his career, which only goes on to prove that he does not shy away from swinging right out of the gate.