Following Corey Anderson’s jaw-dropping victory over Johnny Walker at UFC 244, the light-heavyweight has been very vocal about the fact that he wants to fight champion Jon Jones next. In fact, Anderson has said he’s willing to wait on the sidelines until he gets a title shot. But, in the meantime, Anthony Smith has offered the wrestler some rather pointed advice.

Anderson’s big win at UFC 244

Anderson faced Walker at the November 2nd, New York City event, and he proceeded to stop the rising star in the opening round. While heading into the fight many people predicted Anderson’s wrestling could pose a challenge to Walker. But not too many people were predicting the TUF winner would finish Walker with strikes, and in the opening round.

After the impressive win, Anderson relayed that he wants to wait to face the winner of the expected fight between Jones and Dominick Reyes.

Smith’s advice for Anderson

Well, during all this time, Smith has been pushing for a bout with Anderson. Smith returned to the win column this past summer, after losing to Jones in the spring, by submitting longtime contender, Alexander Gustafsson. As it stands right now, Smith is ranked #3 in the 205 division and Anderson is #5.

While speaking with MMA Tonight recently, Smith continued to send verbal shots in the direction of Anderson, while campaigning for a fight with him. Here is some of what “Lionheart” had to say (quotes via MMA News):

“Just put your head down, and beat the next guy, and don’t complain about it,” Smith said. “And then, every once in a while, try to be a little bit exciting and stop talking sh-t about the guys that are doing it right. You want to talk sh-t about Thiago Santos? Thiago Santos got a title shot. You want to talk shit about me? I got a title shot. So instead of talking sh-t, maybe emulate what we do a little bit, try to get a g-ddamn finish, stop talking sh-t about the UFC, and just beat the next guy. It’s that simple.

“I don’t understand this formula in his head, it’s like he’s doing brain surgery. It’s not that hard. I’m the next guy that you have to beat. It’s that simple.”

Now, yes, Anderson is coming off a memorable, stoppage win over Walker. But, you do have to wonder if the UFC is thinking along these lines, in terms of having Anderson putting his “head down” and fighting again.

While there’s no doubt Anderson’s on an impressive run – he’s won four straight – it’s not clear whether there would be a lot of buzz for a fight with him and Jones and this juncture.

If he were to go out and finish Smith, however, maybe that would change?

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