"CTE confirmed" - Fans react to Anthony Smith getting Power Slap aspirations dashed by UFC brass after confirming final retirement fight

Anthony Smith's combat sports ambitions may very well have included a stint in Power Slap. Unfortunately, his slap-fighting dreams were denied by UFC CBO Hunter Campbell.

'Lionheart' disclosed the conversation he had with UFC executives in an Ariel Helwani interview, drawing fan attention.

A clip of Smith detailing his discussion with the UFC about competing in Power Slap was shared on X/Twitter by popular MMA account Spinnin Backfist. Helwani asked Smith about potentially competing in Power Slap, with Smith saying the following:

"Dude, I tried. They told me no. Straight up. I asked Hunter, he told me no. He wouldn't even bring it to Dana [White]. I don't know. He said no."

Check out Anthony Smith talking about Hunter Campbell rejecting his Power Slap suggestion:

Smith's desire to compete in Power Slap comes as a shock to some fans, given that 'Lionheart' is at the tail-end of his career as a fighter and is in his late thirties. Moreover, he has a career as an analyst to fall back on, so the desire to risk more brain damage by competing in another dangerous sport is curious.

Check out Smith's Power Slap dreams (1:06:54):

So curious, in fact, that fans who flocked to the tweeted clip of his interview couldn't help but near-unanimously reference the potential damage Smith would be putting his brain at risk of sustaining, even more-so than in MMA.

"Pushing the CTE to the extreme"

This was echoed by another fan.

"CTE confirmed"

The sentiment was widespread throughout the thread formed under the tweet.

"Bro's trying to CTEmaxx"

Others, though, opted to aim harsh criticism at Power Slap itself.

"Power Slap is a joke I am surprised anyone watches it"

A collage of fan reactions can be seen below:

Fan reactions to Anthony Smith's Power Slap dreams

While Smith was denied an opportunity to compete in Power Slap, he will have a retirement fight against an as-of-yet unknown foe sometime in April.

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Anthony Smith has been on the decline

Anthony Smith was never an elite fighter, but did manage to secure a light heavyweight title shot against the great Jon Jones. Unfortunately, it was a forgettable performance from Smith, whose offense was all but nonexistent in their bout. While he remained a mainstay at light heavyweight, he declined.

After a three-fight win streak, 'Lionheart' went 2-5 in his next seven fights, with his only wins being over his rival Ryan Spann and the previously undefeated Vitor Petrino. However, both wins have aged poorly. Despite his obvious punching power, Spann is a 22-10 fighter, while Petrino is now on a two-fight losing streak.