Anthony Smith Vows Somehow, Somewhere, He’s Fighting Luke Rockhold

When Anthony Smith talks about the next man he’ll face in the Octagon, Alexander Gustafsson, the light-heavyweight contender is pretty respectful. But, if you ask “Lionheart” for his thoughts on Luke Rockhold, well…things go off the rails, right quick.

Smith is booked to face Gustafsson on June 1st, at a UFC card that will go down in the latter’s home city of Stockholm. The bout will mark the first time both men have fought, since they incurred losses to champion Jon Jones.

Well, earlier this year, Rockhold let it be known that he didn’t think much of Smith’s abilities, or the run he had put together at 205. Those comments got back to Smith, not surprisingly, and the noted finisher didn’t care for them (to put it mildly).

While speaking to Luke Thomas on Sirius XM recently, Smith had this to say about Rockhold (quotes via MMA Mania):

“Are we going to gloss over the fact that Luke Rockhold is an a–hole? I don’t know Luke Rockhold,” said Smith. “Other than weighing in on one card that we fought on at the same time, I don’t know if I’ve ever been in the same room as him at the same time. I’ve never said one word, good or bad about him. And for whatever reason, you know, he is so… God, he’s just such an a–hole. Like I don’t know what the hell I did to that guy, first of all.”

“…I don’t understand how you can just disparage someone so bad that, number one, has done nothing to you, and number two, is highly-regarded as one of the hardest-working and most devoted guys in the sport,” he said. “I’ve never attacked him, I just don’t get it. I will fight that guy anywhere. I will fight that guy in aisle five of Walmart.”

Then, during the UFC’s presser on Friday to promote the company’s summer schedule, Smith had this to say about the former middleweight champ (quotes via MMA Mania):

“That guys a f—king piece of sh-t,” said Smith. “F—k Luke Rockhold. The first opportunity I get, I’m gonna drill a hole through Luke Rockhold’s f—king face. I promise you guys that.”

“The first opportunity I get after this fight [with Gustafsson]. It doesn’t matter what happens. I’ll fight Luke Rockhold with one f—king leg. I’m going to beat that dude’s f—king ass.”

Rockhold is moving up to 205 and will fight Jan Blachowicz on July 6th at UFC 239. So, there’s a decent chance we could see these two throwing hands in the future.