Anthony Smith details conversation with UFC about Power Slap debut after retirement fight
01/21/2025 04:54 PM
Anthony Smith recently spoke with matchmaker Hunter Campbell about pursuing a career in Power Slap after his UFC retirement.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith, after a loss to Dominick Reyes at UFC 310 in December, seemed destined for retirement after his third defeat over his last four fights. But Smith has since pivoted on that stance and has a fight in the works for his last hurrah in the Octagon.
Smith has defeated the likes of Ryan Spann, Alexander Gustafsson, and Volkan Oezdemir during his light heavyweight career. While he’s never held a UFC belt, he’s been a mainstay in the light heavyweight division’s title picture for years.
Along with being a UFC fighter and analyst, Smith has expressed public support for slap fighting and Dana White‘s Power Slap promotion. He’s one of the few UFC personalities who have publically defended slap fighting and endorsed it as a legitimate combat sport.
But Smith recently wanted to take his fandom a step further in a recent conversation with UFC CBO Hunter Campbell, and it didn’t go as he had expected.
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Anthony Smith says Hunter Campbell shut down Power Slap aspirations
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Smith shared how his targeted Power Slap debut was shut down by the UFC brass.
“I tried, they told me no,” Smith said. “Straight-up. I asked Hunter, and he told me no. He wouldn’t even bring it to Dana!”
Smith would’ve become the latest former UFC standout to appear on Power Slap. Last year, former UFC women’s flyweight contender Paige VanZant made her Power Slap debut, defeating Christine Wolmarans before a unanimous draw in October against Chelsea Dodson.
Smith didn’t elaborate on Campbell’s reasoning for shutting down his Power Slap aspirations, but the damage he’s suffered during his fighting career might’ve played a factor in Campbell’s stance.
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Anthony Smith set for UFC finale in April
Smith explained to Ariel Helwani that he has his UFC return booked for an upcoming April event against an undisclosed opponent. He shared that his upcoming fight will be the last of his career after 17 years in MMA.
Power Slap’s next event takes place on January 30th in Las Vegas, featuring a Layne Viernes vs. Vasily Kamotsky main event.
Smith made his UFC debut in 2016 following stints in Cage Fury, Bellator, and other promotions. A three-fight light heavyweight winning streak led to him earning a title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 235, losing by unanimous decision.
As Smith’s apparent UFC finale draws closer, his Power Slap aspirations were shut down by the UFC executives. While Campbell, White, and the rest of the UFC team might change their minds, it appears Smith will have to stay as strictly a fan of slapfighting moving forward.
