It’s taken more than 16 years in the fight game, but Anthony Smith thinks he’s finally learned some more effective mental prioritization methods ahead of Saturday’s fight at UFC 301.
After unsuccessfully challenging then-champ Jon Jones for the light heavyweight belt in March 2019, Smith (37-19 MMA, 12-9 UFC) has been trying to regain his position as top contender. It hasn’t been the smoothest process, because “Lionheart” is 5-5 since that fight, with his most recent bout being a third-round TKO loss to Khalil Rountree at UFC Fight Night 233 in December.
Smith is constantly pestered about his position in the title picture, but right now is probably further away than he’s been in some time. That has allowed him to mentally reset, and provided him with perspective about how his previous approach was actually to his detriment.
