Anthony Smith has undoubtedly had a remarkable career in the UFC.
With nearly 60 professional MMA fights to his name, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is reportedly set to retire after facing Chinese knockout specialist Mingyang Zhang at UFC Kansas City this Saturday.
While his UFC record stands at a modest 13-11, Smith consistently faced elite competition. His opponents included current champions like Magomed Ankalaev and Jon Jones, three former champions (two of whom he impressively knocked out), and five title contenders.
Notable victories for the veteran include submission wins over high-level opponents such as Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir.
Following their 2019 title bout, which was Smith`s only shot at a UFC belt, all-time great Jon Jones commended `Lionheart` for his resilience, stating Smith showed the `heart of a lion` by enduring five rounds and not looking for an easy exit from the fight.
However, opinions on Smith`s overall legacy vary, with at least one former world champion publicly questioning whether his accomplishments warrant induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.Aljamain Sterling Weighs In on Anthony Smith`s Hall of Fame Chances
Discussing Smith`s potential legacy as he approaches retirement at UFC Kansas City, former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling shared his perspective on `Lionheart`s` Hall of Fame candidacy.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Sterling asked, “What do you give him Hall of Fame for, respectively?”
Referring to Smith`s pro record of 38-21, Sterling noted, “It’s not 38 wins in the UFC.”
He acknowledged, “He’s had a great run, but I don’t know if it’s [Hall of Fame worthy].”
Sterling considered if Smith had a single standout performance worthy of a Hall of Fame `Fight Wing` induction, similar to the Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum bout. “Could maybe do something like that,” he mused, “but I don’t know if he has any of those fights.”
“But even with that said,” Sterling concluded, “I don’t know if it’s enough.”
Sterling Proposes Alternative Recognition for Long-Serving Fighters
Historically, the UFC Hall of Fame`s Modern Era wing has primarily recognized former champions.
Donald `Cowboy` Cerrone, who holds multiple UFC records, is currently the only non-champion inducted into this wing, prompting speculation on whether other long-tenured veterans of similar standing, such as Jim Miller (the UFC`s leader in wins and total fights), might also be considered.
What constitutes Hall of Fame criteria in Sterling`s view?
Sterling elaborated: “I almost feel Hall of Fame should be reserved for champs who go on a run, do spectacular things, maybe go in different weight classes, and they have a really good run there too, where they set a record for defenses and things like that.”
“That makes it special because not anyone could get in,” he argued.
While hesitant to suggest Miller or Smith for Hall of Fame induction, Sterling proposed alternative forms of recognition: “I do feel there should be some type of recognition, maybe like a 20 win club or a tenure type of thing.”
“If you’ve been with the company over ten years, that means something,” he explained, “but you’re not technically a Hall of Famer for all your accolades of what you accomplished.”
“It feels kinda wrong because they did accomplish something,” Sterling conceded, “but I think the ultimate accomplishment is becoming a champ.”
Regarding Smith`s 13-11 UFC record, he questioned, “Do you give him a UFC Hall of Fame shot from that? I don’t know. I’m trying to be fair…”
In stark contrast to the uncertainty surrounding Smith, Aljamain Sterling himself is widely considered a strong candidate for future Hall of Fame induction, having successfully defended his Bantamweight championship against notable opponents like Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley