T.J. Dillashaw wasn’t impressed with Anthony Smith’s short-notice efforts against Roman Dolidze at UFC 303 last month (June 29, 2024).
Smith, 35, was among the several fighters offered opportunities to step up and save UFC 303 after its main and co-main event bouts fell apart early into the month. The original Light Heavyweight pairing between former champion, Jamahal Hill, and rising contender, Carlos Ulberg, was the most cursed of the bunch, winding up as Smith vs. Dolidze come fight night.
Had Smith won, there was a longshot chance he’d entice a title shot offer from the divisional kingpin, Alex Pereira, had they both won that night. While Brazil’s Pereira continued to impress with his second second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka (watch highlights), Smith came up short by unanimous decision against the No. 10-ranked Middleweight. The title hopes are now further in the rear-view mirror for Smith and the former two-time Bantamweight titleholder, Dillashaw, sees no hope for “Lionheart” even if he did get a second-career shot.
“No, never,” Dillashaw answered on JAXXON PODCAST when asked if Smith has what it takes to be a world champion. “Dude, he’s just not good enough. Okay, so, he gives up. Did he give himself that [‘Lionheart’] name or what? He gives up in there.
He went on to say, “In the second round, he doesn’t make any effort to get up. Roman remains on his back without attempting to stand. I don’t care if I only had one week to prepare, I’ll fight until the end, no matter what. Even with one arm, I’ll do everything I can.”
Although his success has been mixed since he challenged for gold against Jon Jones in March 2019, Smith isn’t yet ready to retire and sees some fun match ups still out there for him.
Dillashaw, on the other hand, is conceding fully to life as a retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter after hanging up the gloves in late 2022. Dillashaw’s decision came after he lost his title fight against the then-champion, Aljamain Sterling, via a second round technical knockout (watch highlights). “The Viper” infamously went into the bout with a dislocated shoulder, which effectively spelled the end of his career.
