Matt Brown voiced his disdain for Anthony Smith's farewell bouts within the octagon.
Quit While You're Ahead? Not So Fast!
MMA veteran Matt Brown, previously a UFC title contender himself, has a bold take on fighters announcing their retirement fights. In a recent episode of the podcast "The Fighter vs. The Writer," Brown shared his thoughts, and they're not for the faint-hearted.
Brown isn't a fan of combatants like Anthony "Lionheart" Smith openly declaring a fight as their final bout. He believes that once a fighter has one foot out the door by announcing retirement, it can cause more harm than good to their performance during the actual match. The reasoning behind this sentiment suggests that declaring retirement prior to a fight might create a mental or psychological barrier, potentially affecting a fighter's motivation and focus in the ring[2][3].
The infamous quote, "wooden shoes climbing the ladder, coming down with silk slippers," from boxing, seems to resonate with Brown's perspective. He emphasized that opponents, driven by ambition and dreams, can pose a significant challenge to fighters who are retiring. These opponents, fighting for titles, money, and their futures, stand in stark contrast to the retired fighter, who is only aiming for a decent farewell[2].
Anthony Smith, who recently stepped back from professional competition with a record of 38-22, exemplifies this scenario. Smith's last victory was in May 2021, defeating Vitor Petrino via submission in the opening round[4].
However, if you're expecting a gentle farewell for Smith, think again. Brown warns that "official farewell" fights often don't end as beautifully as the fighters hope. As Brown put it, "Dana White has said it, and I agree: if you're already thinking about retirement, it's time to stop right now."
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- Matt Brown, a former UFC title contender, has criticized combatants like Anthony Smith for announcing their retirement fights, stating that such declarations can negatively impact a fighter's performance and focus in the ring.
- Brown believes that retirees, like Anthony Smith who recently stepped back from professional competition with a record of 38-22, might face significant challenges from opponents who are driven by ambition and dreams, making their "farewell" fights the toughest of all.
- Citing the infamous quote from boxing, Brown warns that fighters announcing retirement may find it difficult to compete against opponents who are still aggressive and ambitious, potentially leading to an unexpected end to their careers, as "Dana White has said it, and I agree: if you're already thinking about retirement, it's time to stop right now."
