Anthony Smith was taken to the cleaners by Glover Teixeira in the UFC
Glover Teixeira vs Anthony Smith was the main event for the latest UFC Fight Night. This was the second UFC event after a month out due to the coronavirus, and the main event was something special.
Both UFC Light Heavyweights have a ton of experience and this was supposed to be a great 50-50 battle.
However, it was Teixeira that took Smith apart after a great start from both fighters. Things took a turn for the worse at the end of the third and fourth rounds as Teixeira seemed set to knockout Smith.
The referee didn’t call a stoppage to the fight until the fifth round when Smith could not defend himself much.
There were more pressing concerns ahead of that as Smith was heard telling his corner that his teeth were falling off. That was something that many UFC stars picked up on, including commentator and former UFC Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
UFC stars shocked match wasn’t stopped earlier
The referee has a job to protect fighters and call off clashes in case one cannot defend himself/herself in the Octagon.
That was more than evident in the case of Smith during the fourth round. The fight could have been called off earlier than when it was, and Smith could have picked up a serious injury during this time too.
Of course, no fighter wants to throw in the towel but many others suggested that this was the right thing to do.
Smith could have been in the running for a shot at Jon Jones and his championship belt, but that has been dashed away.
It was a little upsetting to hear about him losing his teeth too, and many UFC stars tweeted regarding that too:
Anthony recently got veneers so this isn’t as bad as it sounds. Plus, Lionheart is known for big knockouts after being badly hurt. You have to know your fighter. #UFCJAX https://t.co/uaW2w29AtK
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) May 14, 2020
Smith's corner did a terrible job tonight.
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) May 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/oliaubin/status/1260789295419400192?s=20
https://twitter.com/randamma/status/1260788444973928455?s=20
They could’ve definitely stopped the fight in the corner but fighters go out on their shield and sometimes they need to hear that to find another gear. If Smith won in the 5th people wouldn’t be talking about it #UFCJAX
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) May 14, 2020
I would have stopped the fight, corner could have saved their guy from getting finished. Some mistakes in that corner tonight. And I love those guys! Too much instruction, no crowd to filter it. Anthony Smith is a savage, but props to @gloverteixeira on big victory.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 14, 2020
That fight should have been stopped 2 rounds ago.
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) May 14, 2020
Throw the dam towel JAMES!!
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) May 14, 2020
Finally are you kidding me even glover was tired of hitting him
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 14, 2020
WHAT THE FUCK COACH!! This is getting hard to watch. I don’t want to watch Smith take more punishment. #UFCJAX
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 14, 2020
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