The Film Room: Anthony Smith
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Anthony Smith after just three appearances at 205 pounds will get thrown to the wolves with a title shot against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 235 main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. Although many doubt Smith -- the odds suggest this is the most lopsided title fight of all-time -- can dethrone Jones, he has a ton of experience for his age, and his knockout power should be a major concern for the champion.
Smith’s exploits are the subject of this installment of The Film
Room.
During the brief moments when Smith is not coming forward, he has proven to have decent countering skills on the outside. His counters were much easier to land at middleweight since his height and reach were always greater than the opponent’s, and it will be interesting to see if the skills translate or if he was having success with them because of his length. Do not expect to see much of his countering against Jones, however, as Smith must know that he has to rush him to win, but we have seen “Bones” struggle in the past with opponents who are nearly as tall and as long as him.
Since Smith is so aggressive, he often finds himself in the clinch against the cage. In the clinch, Smith wields amazing elbows and routinely lands them over the top of opponents’ lead hand when they attempt a collar tie. He has multiple knockout wins from elbows in the clinch, and he will even occasionally lead with an elbow while blitzing forward. He could benefit from throwing more knees at close range to take advantage of his long limbs and set up his elbows. Jones likes to fight up close, so we can expect long exchanges in the clinch against the cage. Jones usually stays calm in the clinch and slowly picks apart his opponents, while Smith throws wild elbows and hooks in his hunt for the finish. It will be interesting to see who has the advantage with their vastly different clinch styles.
Smith’s aggressive striking often overshadows his grappling game, but surprisingly, he has 11 submission victories in his career, although only one of them has come in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In the few times he has been backed to the cage, he has shown to be adept at ducking under strikes for a takedown. If he gets taken down, he has a slick triangle off of his back -- a maneuver with which he has finished four opponents. He also has exceptional transitional grappling for a striking-based fighter and can surprise foes on the ground. Jones is the better grappler by far, but do not be surprised if Smith’s submissions come into play during this bout. The champion is the superior fighter on paper, but Smith has some wildcard aspects to his game that could cause him trouble. He is a year younger with nearly double the experience, and his aggressive leading attacks, along with not caring about being hit, could force Jones into a firefight in which he is not particularly comfortable. Most expect Jones to win, but do not be shocked if this turns into a more competitive bout than anticipated.
Anthony Smith after just three appearances at 205 pounds will get thrown to the wolves with a title shot against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the UFC 235 main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. Although many doubt Smith -- the odds suggest this is the most lopsided title fight of all-time -- can dethrone Jones, he has a ton of experience for his age, and his knockout power should be a major concern for the champion.
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You will not find a younger fighter with more experience than Smith
on any MMA promotion’s roster, as he has amassed 44 fights at the
age of 30. Smith is not the most technical striker, but at this
point in his career, he does not need to be. His aggressive leads,
knockout power and willingness to take a punch to give one has
worked wonderfully so far, as he has compiled a 31-13 record with
28 finishes. Smith usually fights orthodox and favors his right
hooks and rear leg kicks when fighting on the outside, but most of
his leading attacks are wild hooks he throws while running at his
opponent. Leading with your face while crossing your feet is not
the smartest way to fight, but it works for Smith, and his wild
style might just provide an avenue to overwhelm Jones.
During the brief moments when Smith is not coming forward, he has proven to have decent countering skills on the outside. His counters were much easier to land at middleweight since his height and reach were always greater than the opponent’s, and it will be interesting to see if the skills translate or if he was having success with them because of his length. Do not expect to see much of his countering against Jones, however, as Smith must know that he has to rush him to win, but we have seen “Bones” struggle in the past with opponents who are nearly as tall and as long as him.
Since Smith is so aggressive, he often finds himself in the clinch against the cage. In the clinch, Smith wields amazing elbows and routinely lands them over the top of opponents’ lead hand when they attempt a collar tie. He has multiple knockout wins from elbows in the clinch, and he will even occasionally lead with an elbow while blitzing forward. He could benefit from throwing more knees at close range to take advantage of his long limbs and set up his elbows. Jones likes to fight up close, so we can expect long exchanges in the clinch against the cage. Jones usually stays calm in the clinch and slowly picks apart his opponents, while Smith throws wild elbows and hooks in his hunt for the finish. It will be interesting to see who has the advantage with their vastly different clinch styles.
Smith’s aggressive striking often overshadows his grappling game, but surprisingly, he has 11 submission victories in his career, although only one of them has come in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In the few times he has been backed to the cage, he has shown to be adept at ducking under strikes for a takedown. If he gets taken down, he has a slick triangle off of his back -- a maneuver with which he has finished four opponents. He also has exceptional transitional grappling for a striking-based fighter and can surprise foes on the ground. Jones is the better grappler by far, but do not be surprised if Smith’s submissions come into play during this bout. The champion is the superior fighter on paper, but Smith has some wildcard aspects to his game that could cause him trouble. He is a year younger with nearly double the experience, and his aggressive leading attacks, along with not caring about being hit, could force Jones into a firefight in which he is not particularly comfortable. Most expect Jones to win, but do not be shocked if this turns into a more competitive bout than anticipated.
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