Anthony Smith Tattoos: Meaning Behind the UFC Light Heavyweight’s Back Tattoo and Other Inks

Anthony Smith began his MMA career in 2008; a regular in the Las Vegas-based promotion since 2013, he’s all set to fight fellow light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes at the UFC 310 card on December 7th at the T-Mobile Arena. A veritable veteran of the sport at this point, the Texan has unfortunately lost four of his last six fights. And his upcoming bout will be crucial in determining the course of the rest of his career.

Like a lot of other UFC fighters, ‘Lionheart’ has a lot of tattoos on his body, many of which have come under ridicule from fans for reasons we will see later. Ahead of his UFC 310 bout against the 13-4-0 in Las Vegas, we will take a look at what his tattoos mean.

What does Anthony Smith’s back tattoo mean?

The UFC fighter has multiple tattoos on his back. The first is his surname ‘Smith’ inked in large fonts like on the back of a sports jersey. But the ones that truly stand out are the dream catcher and goat skull tattoo. Talking about the largest, the dream catcher is the first tattoo that will catch one’s attention toward Smith’s back. Covering the entirety of his lower back, the dream catcher tattoo originated in Native American culture. It is a tattoo that has deep symbolic meaning, representing protection by capturing negative dreams and thoughts and allowing only happy dreams to enter one’s sleep.

The feathers that frequently dangle from it represent lightness, spirituality, and the ability to achieve higher realms of awareness. Beads weaved into the dream catcher’s web may indicate a collection of positive dreams or life lessons. As a result, a dream catcher tattoo can serve as a reminder to seek harmony, defend oneself from negativity, and pursue personal growth and self-discovery. The third tattoo on his back is that of a goat’s skull. Placed on Smith’s upper back, goat tattoos represent freedom and a carefree nature. They demonstrate one’s originality and ability to defy societal norms to flaunt their distinct perspectives.

Furthermore, the goat skull is a popular symbol in many civilizations. Some see it positively, while others consider it as a creature that brings harm. The goat skull, as in Pagan tradition, represents the concepts of life, death, and the afterlife. It is also associated with the Horned God, who symbolizes fertility and abundance. In Hindu mythology, a goat skull represents the concept of change and breaking down obstacles. The goat skull is also linked with the goddess Kali, therefore the tattoo could be interpreted as a symbol of feminine power.

Meaning behind Anthony Smith’s chest tattoos

Anthony Smith has a fascinating mandala art tattoo on the center of his chest. Mandala tattoos are often used to symbolize charm and good luck. They also hold meanings that relate to love, empathy, and compassion. His center tattoo also has a little lion head attached to it near his heart, a reference to his moniker, ‘Lionheart’. The lion tattoo may symbolize courage and pride. Smith also has an infinity symbol that has the names of his daughters Avaya and Jean on his upper chest. A rather sweet gesture to prove how much his daughters mean to him and how their love will remain endless like the infinity sign.

Other tattoos on Anthony Smith’s body

Starting from top to bottom, Smith has numerous distinct and striking tattoos on his body. On his right arm is a tribal design tattoo that details his cultural roots. On the other hand, he has another larger design of a similar kind. On his right leg, there’s a Samurai tattoo that symbolizes the strength and courage of the legendary Japanese warriors. Ancient Japanese tattoos are some of the most sought-after designs by fighters even today.

Smith’s oldest daughter, Ariah, was born on November 6, 2011. For her, he has a left shoulder tattoo that reads ‘XI-VI-MMXI’. His left side of the stomach is covered by a tribal-designed lion that may symbolize courage and pride. He also has tattoos that read ‘No Regrets’ and ‘Momma’ on his body, which are rather self-explanatory.

Anthony Smith’s massive sleeve tattoo

Anthony Smith clearly loves tattoos. His right arm is covered in a beautifully done full-sleeve tattoo that has many water-based themes. Water can be seen flowing through the tattoo, which includes koi fish, dragons, and carp, which are important motifs in East Asian cultures and signify strength, good fortune, and ferocity.

Now he would want this good fortune and strength as he sets up to face Dominick Reyes at UFC310. Smith has fought some of the greatest fighters in the UFC, and Reyes is unlikely to throw anything at Smith that he hasn’t faced before. But, his recent skid in form has been inconsistent and this bout will probably determine his fate in the 205-pound division. What are your predictions for UFC 310? Let us know in the comments.