“It’s a weird break”- Anthony Smith provides an update regarding his horrific leg injury at UFC 277
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Anthony Smith broke his leg at UFC 277
Last month, former title challenger Anthony Smith was set to face Magomed Ankalaev in a Light Heavyweight matchup at UFC 277. Lionheart was on a three-fight win streak coming into this fight. While Ankalaev was on an eight-fight win streak.
However, Lionheart’s win streak was shattered by Ankalaev as he picked up the win by TKO in the second round. Smith was unable to continue as he broke his ankle during the first round. Smith tried to fight through the injury but was unable to continue after a point. The referee stopped the fight as Smith was not defending Ankalaev’s shots.
While after the fight it seemed as if Lionheart’s ankle was broken because of Ankalaev’s leg kick. Much of the fans and media believed that the injury was caused by either Ankalaev checking a kick or by throwing one of his own kicks. However, Smith later said that it was just a freak accident.
Anthony Smith himself had a hard time understanding exactly what happened
While talking to Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me podcast, Smith gave further clarification on his injury at UFC 277. Lionheart stated, “I threw this hard overhand and it was just a little short and he came back with a hard leg kick,” “And my whole leg went numb from the knee down. It was only like 20 seconds, 15 seconds – it came back pretty quick.“
“But I didn’t really think anything of it – just hit a weird nerve, and your leg goes numb. Shortly after that, we got tangled up. You know how it gets with opposite stances – your feet get tangled up sometimes. And I went to step back with my left foot, and it’s like wasn’t anything there. It was weird.”
“Right before he kicked me and my leg went numb, I was stepping on his foot. So we were having that lead foot battle and it happened twice. I stepped on his foot and he pulled it out, and then it drugs my body forward and my ankle kind of went all funny. And right after that, he banged that inside kick real hard. I know in the media or whatever it’s been reported it was from a kick. It’s 100 per cent not. It’s not from a kick. It’s just fcking shit luck.”
Smith further revealed that the UFC’s chief medical advisor and the head doctor also was puzzled by the injury. He added. “It’s not like a typical combat sports break, It’s a weird break. Jeffrey Davidson said in Twenty Nine years, he’s never seen it in combat sports. Apparently, it’s in my ankle, but it’s a continuation of my leg bone.”
Lionheart clarified that he isn’t taking anything away from Ankalaev. He stated that his opponent won fair and square. “His body held up better than mine.” He added.
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