UFC Kansas City video: Anthony Smith suffers gruesome cut, stopped by Zhang Mingyang in retirement fight

Anthony Smith knows better than just about anybody that MMA is an unforgiving sport and unfortunately that was the theme of his final fight after he suffered a gruesome cut early before Zhang Mingyang ultimately finished him with strikes in the UFC Kansas City co-main event.

It was well advertised heading into Saturday night that Smith planned to retire no matter the result but despite some early success with some elbow strikes of his own, Zhang opening that cut on the top of his head really changed everything.

Once the blood started flowing into Smith’s eyes, he was struggling to see and after an ill-fated takedown attempt failed, Zhang just started unloading elbows that forced referee Jason Herzog to stop the fight. The end came at 4:03 in the opening round.

Afterwards a teary-eyed Smith addressed the crowd while giving Zhang his due for a job well done.

“I felt OK but once I got clipped with that elbow and it was bleeding into my eyes,” Smith said. “He does a great job in the clinch. Listen guys, five years ago, that’s a beatable guy. Here I am, I’m aging, it is what it is. Father time, wins tonight. He does an incredible job. He’s got a high ceiling. He’s going to be fantastic and I look forward to seeing his career grow.”

It certainly wasn’t the outcome he wanted but Smith recognized that he was ready to call it a career so he still soaked in the moment with a raucous crowd paying homage to him. The UFC also played a tribute video for Smith showcasing his biggest moments in a 50 fight career that dates back over 17 years.

“When I started this game, I was homeless, I had nothing going for me,” Smith said. “Now this platform has allowed me to raise my family, my four beautiful daughters and give them a life I’d never been able to have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.

“I don’t even know what to say. Watching that video, I did that shit! I did that. I’m going to take some advice from Chael [Sonnen] and just be grateful it happened. I appreciate you guys. We can be sad next week but tonight I’m going to have some gratitude.”

Smith deserved the spotlight for his retirement but Zhang still celebrated the biggest win of his young career while moving to 3-0 in the UFC with all three fights ended in a first-round finish.,

The win puts him in a prime position for an even bigger fight after finishing Smith and taking another step forward in the light heavyweight division.

“Boo me again, let me hear that!” Zhang shouted to the crowd. “I know you don’t know who I am but if you don’t know, now you know!”