Introduction
Anthony Smith is the most prolific active light-heavyweight contender in modern UFC history. A Fort Dodge, Iowa-born fighter who has competed at both middleweight and light-heavyweight across nearly two decades of professional competition, Smith has produced one of the most durable and uniquely personal career stories in modern MMA — including a UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship challenge against Jon Jones at UFC 235 in March 2019 and a career that has featured publicly discussed personal adversity alongside exceptional in-cage resilience.
Quick Stats
Full Name: Anthony Lionheart Smith
Nickname: Lionheart
Born: November 26, 1988 (Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA)
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
Weight Classes: Light Heavyweight (205 lb) and Middleweight (185 lb)
Pro Record: 38-20-0 (20 KO, 13 SUB, 5 DEC)
UFC Career Record: 12-10 across 22 UFC fights
Title Shot: UFC 235 vs Jon Jones for UFC LHW Championship (March 2, 2019), lost UD
Background
Anthony Smith was born on November 26, 1988 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He started martial arts training as a teenager and turned professional in MMA in 2008 at age 19. The early career spanned smaller promotions across the Midwest, producing a 23-10 record before the UFC contract arrived in 2016. Smith trained at Factory X in Englewood, Colorado under Marc Montoya — a gym that also housed fellow UFC fighters.
The UFC career began at middleweight (185 lb) in 2016, producing wins over Andrew Sanchez and Hector Lombard before a move to light-heavyweight. At 205 lb, Smith produced the career-defining stretch: wins over Rashad Evans (TKO), Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua (TKO), and Volkan Oezdemir (UD) produced the UFC 235 title shot against Jon Jones. Jones won by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), but Smith's willingness to continue despite heavy damage in the later rounds earned him significant respect from the MMA community and Jones himself. The post-Jones career has continued — wins over Devin Clark, Ryan Spann, and Magomed Ankalaev among others.
Fighting Style
Smith's style is the most volume-forward pressure-boxing approach in modern UFC LHW history. The 6'4" frame and aggressive forward pressure combine with a jiu-jitsu submission background (13 career submission wins) to produce a fighter who can finish from anywhere — standing, clinch, or ground. The defining physical characteristic is the chin: Smith has absorbed significant punishment in multiple fights and continued, most notably against Jon Jones at UFC 235 and against Aleksandar Rakic in 2021. The willingness to fight through adversity has been both a strength and a liability.
Career Highlights
UFC 235 — Jones def. Smith, UD (March 2, 2019)
The UFC Light-Heavyweight Championship fight, in Las Vegas. Jon Jones — the dominant LHW champion — won by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45). Smith absorbed heavy damage in the later rounds but refused to quit, earning widespread respect. Jon Jones himself praised Smith's heart in the post-fight interview.
UFC Fight Night 123 — Smith def. Mauricio Shogun Rua, TKO R3 (December 16, 2017)
The career breakthrough win at light-heavyweight. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua — the former UFC LHW Champion — was stopped by Smith in the third round. The win over a former champion established Smith as a legitimate 205 lb contender.
Championships and Title Reigns
UFC LHW Championship: Never won — one title shot vs Jon Jones at UFC 235 (March 2019), lost UD 50-45
Notable Wins: Rashad Evans, Mauricio Shogun Rua, Volkan Oezdemir, Devin Clark, Ryan Spann
Fun Facts
• Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa — one of the smaller hometown origin stories of any UFC LHW title challenger.
• Has spoken publicly about personal adversity including substance abuse challenges in his past, creating a public persona of resilience both inside and outside the cage.
• Jon Jones praised Smith's heart in the post-UFC 235 interview — one of the more celebrated fighter-to-fighter tributes of the modern era.
• One of the most prolific active MMA fighters by fight count — nearly 60 professional fights across a 15+ year career.
Legacy and Verdict
Anthony Smith's UFC legacy is the most resilient contender career in modern UFC light-heavyweight history. The Jon Jones title shot, the Shogun and Rashad Evans wins, and the personal redemption narrative running throughout the career form one of the most complete fighter-as-person stories in the modern sport. Smith is in any reasonable list of the ten most respected active UFC light-heavyweights, and the Lionheart nickname captures both the courage and the heart that has defined every fight since his professional debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Anthony Smith fight Jon Jones?
Yes — at UFC 235 on March 2, 2019. Jones defended the UFC LHW title by unanimous decision (50-45 x3). Smith's refusal to quit under heavy damage earned widespread praise.
What is Anthony Smith's record?
As of mid-2026, Smith's career record is approximately 38-20-0 (20 KO, 13 SUB, 5 DEC). UFC record 12-10.