What defines a fighter? Is it gold belts or the memories they leave behind in the minds of the fans? Anthony Smith’s final steps inside the UFC Octagon were not bathed in the glory he may have dreamed of, but they were heavy with meaning. Under the bright lights of Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center, the veteran made his last stand at UFC on ESPN 66. Yet his opponent, Zhang Mingyang had other plans.

Smith fought bravely, as always, but was overwhelmed early. Blood poured as he faced brutal ground and pound, and referee Jason Herzog had seen enough by Round 1’s end. It wasn’t the storybook finish fans might have craved. But in the brutal world of combat sports, sometimes survival itself becomes the greatest triumph.

After all, few fighters have carved a journey quite like Anthony Smith. From homelessness to the UFC’s grand stage, ‘Lionheart’ lived up to his name at every turn.

Two UFC stints. Over twenty appearances. A shot at the light heavyweight crown. His career was a hard-fought symphony—messy, but beautiful in its own way. And inside the Octagon in Kansas City, surrounded by family and fans, Smith left his gloves on the battlefield and poured his heart out in his final speech. As the crowd roared, Smith took the microphone with heavy breath and a heavier heart.

“But first, I wanna start and I wanna thank every single one of you guys through my entire career,” he said, voice trembling but proud. “The Midwest specifically has had my back. I made a home here in Kansas City in the fight game. I absolutely love every one of you.”

Smith didn’t forget anyone. From the blue shirts to the makeup artists, he gave credit to every hand that had lifted him from the shadows. “When I started this game, I was homeless,” he admitted, the weight of the journey crashing down. “I had nothing going for me, and now this platform has allowed me to raise my family, my four beautiful daughters, and give them a life that I’ve never been able to have.” And in true ‘Lionheart’ fashion, he signed off with a grin as he yelled, “Now let’s go get a shower and let’s goddamn party.”

Paul Felder, microphone in hand, couldn’t let the moment pass without paying tribute as he stated, “Anthony, just wanna say congratulations on an absolutely legendary career and for showing your heart every single time that you stepped in here. From all these fans here, from the UFC and everybody that’s ever worked with you or been a part of your career, you deserve every second of this man, and enjoy the retirement with your beautiful family.”

Smith, overwhelmed, could only marvel at the journey as the UFC played a video tribute as a way to honor the veteran’s journey through the sport. An emotional Smith confessed, “Watching that video, I did that s—. I did that. I did that.”

Grateful. Proud. And undeniably finished with the chapter he wrote in blood, sweat, and endless resilience. And the MMA world? They didn’t waste time flooding social media with their tributes to ‘Lionheart’s legendary career. But Conor McGregor, as always, chose to go a different route!

Anthony Smith’s farewell draws emotional responses from the MMA world as Conor McGregor stirs the pot

Warriors recognize warriors, and Israel Adesanya did the same as he echoed Smith’s own words in a tribute on X with a salute at the end to mark his respect for the veteran. Meanwhile, former middleweight champion Chris Weidman wrote, “Big congrats to Anthony Smith on an amazing career. Has been a pleasure to be able to train with you and become a friend over the years !”

It was a brotherly embrace in digital form, a nod from one survivor to another. But then came Conor McGregor, always the wildcard, the jester, and the king rolled into one. His reaction? A single laughing emoji.

Was it playful ribbing? A mocking jab? Or just ‘The Notorious’ being himself, tossing a social media grenade and walking away whistling? The meaning behind it stayed hidden, but the internet lit up. Some fans shrugged it off, others saw it as disrespectful, especially given the heartfelt tone of Smith’s farewell.

In the end, Anthony Smith leaves the Octagon not as a champion in the record books, but as a champion in spirit. His story wasn’t gilded with gold belts. It was carved into the soul of every fighter who ever dared to dream bigger than the streets they came from.

And maybe that’s the real legacy. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!