How did Anthony Smith react to Jamahal Hill vs. Glover Teixeira being announced for the vacant light heavyweight title?

No. 6-ranked light heavyweight Anthony Smith reacted to the news of Jamahal Hill vs. Glover Texeira for the vacant light heavyweight title with the poise and level of calmness we have come to expect from 'Lionheart'.

At the UFC 282 post-fight press conference, Dana White revealed that the No. 7-ranked Jamahal Hill will fight former champion Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title after the bout between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev was declared a split draw.

Anthony Smith sat down with Ashley Brewer, Dominick Cruz and Jon Anik on the UFC 282 post-show to react to the fight announcement for the vacant light heavyweight title.

Smith was originally scheduled to face Jamahal Hill, ranked one spot below him, in March 2023. As news of the fight between Hill and Teixeira broke, Anthony Smith was asked how he felt about seeing his opponent in a new booking.

He replied with the following:

"Yeah, that's a problem. That's a big problem for me."

Smith didn't seem flustered or agitated, to which Jon Anik tipped his hat to the UFC light heavyweight fighter by saying the following:

"I have so much respect for you digesting this news right now, because as your friend and colleague to, all of a sudden, have that Jamahal Hill fight go away. And now, he's going to be fighting Glover Teixeira for the title, I don't even know what to say, man. You know, just to see your reaction off-set, it's absolutely crazy."

Anik then acknowledged that Dana White had to make the decision as he couldn't afford to let the light heavyweight title remain vacant. UFC bantamweight, commentator and analyst Dominick Cruz then asked Smith who he'd want to face next since Hill is getting the title shot.

Smith replied by saying that there's no one left, since Blachowicz and Ankalaev just fought, and Aleksandar Rakić is injured. Cruz said that Smith should be next in line to fight for the title after Hill and Teixeira.

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"We'll figure it out" - Anthony Smith weighs in on who is next for him

Dana White's announcement of Jamahal Hill vs. Glover Teixeira came as a surprise to many, including Anthony Smith, who was scheduled to fight Hill next year. In Ashley Brewer's words, the announcement was "Christmas for some," but "confusing" for Smith.

The broadcast veteran asked Anthony Smith who he believes will be his next matchup, to which Smith replied:

"We'll figure it out. I don't know... The London card is coming up, I like London [at] this time of the year. I feel like someone owes me a favor right now. So, I don't know, we'll figure it out."

Anthony Smith stated that there's "a lot of great things" ahead of him, mentioning possible rematches against Glover Teixeira and Magomed Ankalaev. He could even fight Jan Blachowicz in a title eliminator if their schedules aligned.

Smith last fought Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 277, where he lost via second-round TKO.