Anthony Smith gets brutally honest about owing Bryce Mitchell "a debt of gratitude" after struggling emotionally post-UFC 310 loss

Anthony Smith, known for his resilience in the octagon, faced one of the toughest emotional battles of his career at UFC 310. For the first time in his 59-fight journey, Smith fought without his longtime coach and best friend, Scott Morton, by his side. Despite a second-round TKO loss to Dominick Reyes, Smith revealed that the night’s significance exceeded the result.

Smith struggled to hold himself together leading up to the fight but found unexpected support from UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell. Sharing the locker room with Smith, Mitchell noticed the veteran’s emotional state and quietly offered comfort.

"I owe Bryce Mitchell a debt of gratitude... He was in my locker room, and I don't know that he could tell that something was going on, but he had this other room that was kind of off of mine a little bit. I don't know if he could tell something was off, and I was a little bit emotional, but I was kind of holding it together, but I'd like have to go back in the shower area to kind of lose it for a second, then pull it together."

'Lionheart' continued:

"Then Bryce moved his whole team into my space. Didn't say anything. Didn't ask. Just walked in, and I remember he said something like, 'I just want to be closer to you, brother.' It was the oddest thing, but I felt more comfortable for some reason."

Check out Anthony Smith's revelation below:

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Anthony Smith weighs in on Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Anthony Smith recently expressed his surprise at Magomed Ankalaev being listed as the early favorite for his upcoming light heavyweight title bout against Alex Pereira at UFC 313 on March 8.

Smith, speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, questioned Ankalaev’s strategy, noting the Russian’s plan to stand and strike with Pereira:

"That's crazy [that Ankalaev is favored]... I don't think you have to look any further than [Ankalaev's] own words. He's not gonna wrestle Alex Pereira, that's what he said. I don't have any reason not to believe him. [He] says he's gonna stand in front of him and knock him out. I mean, maybe he'll double cross us but I don't think that would be great for him. But, is there anybody you'd favor in a striking match versus [Pereira]?"

Check out Anthony Smith's comments below: