Anthony Smith has accepted light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira‘s $50,000 grappling challenge. When ‘Poatan’ was planning to move up to the 205-pound division last year after a successful stint at middleweight, ‘Lionheart’ had claimed that the former kickboxer was not a ‘big, scary’ guy that others at 205 would be afraid of. The American repeated his criticisms in a recent interview, where he called the Brazilian “one dimensional” and added that while the former middleweight champion was great at one thing, he was “mediocre” at all the rest.

Later, Smith doubled down on his criticisms and told Daniel Cormier that Pereira, a master striker’s grappling, was not “fire”. Smith insisted that he was not criticizing the former two-division Glory kickboxing champion, but was “building him up.” Pereira, however, didn’t think so and has challenged Smith, which the American has accepted.

Anthony Smith’s game to grapple Alex Pereira for $50k

Alex Pereira, in a recent interview with ‘Connect Cast’, offered to “make a bet with Anthony Smith.” ‘Poatan’ offered to “let him take my back with hooks in and give him five minutes to finish me,” with the loser paying the winner $50k. After defeating Vitor Petrino at their UFC 301 main card bout on Saturday, Anthony Smith was asked about Pereira’s challenge at the post-fight press conference. And ‘Lionheart’, ever the fiery competitor, accepted at once.

“Alex Pereira said he would put up 50k, but I could start on his back and I got five minutes to finish him, and he wants to put 50k up for it. I’ll take his 50k, yeah, I’ll take his money. If I start on his back, I’ll choke the sh** out of him, 100%,” Smith said as mentioned by MMAFightingonSBN.

Smith was confident that if Pereira allowed him to start by taking the champion’s back and putting his hooks in, he would be able to choke out the Brazilian. While Pereira’s grappling is conspicuous by its absence, the confidence that the champ has in his abilities is commendable. And Smith, of course, is confident of victory, as he should be after his first-round finish of the dangerous Vitor Petrino last night.

‘Lionheart’ gets much needed win against Petrino at UFC 301

After suffering a devastating and comical knockout at the hands of surging light heavyweight star, Khalil Rountree Jr. last December, Anthony Smith was booked to face undefeated light heavyweight prospect Vitor Petrino at the latter’s home turf on UFC 301 at Rio de Janeiro.

This bout was important for Smith to maintain his top-10 rankings in the 205-pound division and to show he is still a serious competitor since he had lost three of his last four fights before UFC 301. In the end, Smith dominated the previously undefeated Brazilian, defeating him in the first round, and proving he is still one of the top light heavyweights in the division.

After Smith accepted Pereira’s challenge, all eyes are now on whether the grappling match actually goes through. What are your thoughts about the whole affair? Share with us in the comments.