Anthony Smith is determined to prove he is not a stepping stone in the UFC: ‘We’re going to put an end to that now’

UFC veteran Anthony Smith finds himself in an unfamiliar position as he prepares to face off against up-and-coming prospect Vitor Petrino in his next fight. Despite being a former title challenger and a mainstay in the light heavyweight division’s top rankings for six years, Smith has recently become the target of multiple callouts from rising fighters looking to make a name for themselves.

In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Smith expressed his frustration with the situation, particularly after Petrino called him out for their upcoming bout. Smith made it clear that he refuses to be seen as a stepping stone for younger fighters to build their reputations off of, citing the example of welterweight Neil Magny, who has become a popular target for callouts in his division.

Smith, determined to prove his critics wrong, has embraced the challenge of facing Petrino in Brazil at UFC 301. Despite acknowledging that he could have declined the fight, Smith sees this as an opportunity to silence his doubters and show that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level in the UFC.

As he gears up for the fight, Smith remains confident in his abilities and believes that he is still capable of defeating anyone in the light heavyweight division. With a renewed focus and determination, Smith is eager to put an end to the speculation surrounding his recent performances and prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.