In a highly anticipated matchup, former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight title contender Anthony Smith is set to make his final appearance in the Octagon on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The event will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, where Smith will square off against the rising Chinese knockout artist Zhang Mingyang.

Anthony Smith, widely recognized for his durability and fighting spirit, will take his last walk to the cage after an illustrious career in professional mixed martial arts that has spanned over seven years. Throughout his journey, Smith has faced off against some of the elite fighters in the sport, including former champions and formidable contenders. Despite his wealth of experience, Smith admitted that he was not familiar with his upcoming opponent, Zhang, until UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard presented the fight offer.

In a recent interview on ESPNs Good Guy/Bad Guy, Smith expressed his surprise regarding Zhang's relatively low profile within the MMA circuit. These things go two different ways: you get a young, upcoming monster, or you get a legacy fight with another aging guy. Typically, its the former, he explained, indicating that he recognizes the challenges associated with fighting a newer competitor. Smith further clarified that his lack of knowledge about Zhang was not meant to be disrespectful, but rather a reflection of the newcomers limited recognition in an industry filled with talent.

Despite his initial surprise, Smith conveyed a sense of relief at the prospect of battling a tough opponent rather than facing a faded fighter. Im happy that he is as tough as he is because I would have felt weird coming in here fighting the ghost of somebody else, he stated during UFC Kansas Citys media day, highlighting his desire for a meaningful fight. Known as Lionheart, he emphasized his preference for challenging encounters, asserting, I never asked for an easy fight, so Im happy that this guy will go on, win or lose, to have an incredible run and career in the UFC. I think itll age well when its all said and done.

Smith's career has been marked by remarkable resilience and determination. With a staggering 60 fights to his name, he has confronted numerous high-caliber opponents and demonstrated exceptional skill and grit. However, he certainly faces a formidable challenge against Zhang, who comes into the fight with an impressive track record, having achieved a first-round finish in all of his victories so far. This striking statistic raises the stakes and excitement for what promises to be an explosive showdown.

Fans can expect comprehensive coverage of UFC Kansas City, with MMAmania.com providing live round-by-round updates starting with the Prelims undercard bouts at 6 p.m. ET. The main card will follow at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+.

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