Anthony Smith is driven to succeed at UFC 277 in more ways than one. In what will be the first fight since the recent death of his mother, Smith (36-16 MMA, 11-6 UFC) enters Saturday’s light heavyweight showdown with the surging Magomed Ankalaev (17-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) with an opportunity to put himself in a prominent position in the title picture. Smith could have a solid case for a championship fight if he managed to derail Ankalaev’s eight-fight winning streak, which he has every intention of doing in the pay-per-view main card opener at American Airlines Center in Dallas. With Ankalaev entering the fight as a betting favorite, Smith is ready to play spoiler and show that while the Russian is legitimately talented, he’s not the force some in the industry are touting him as. “I’m getting used to just kind of being counted out,” Smith told MMA Junkie Radio.
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Anthony Smith adamant Magomed Ankalaev ‘not the boogeyman’ ahead of UFC 277 clash – MMA Junkie