/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61935993/usa_today_10883385.0.jpg)
Anthony Smith’s storybook run at 205 pounds continues.
“Lionheart” scored a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Volkan Oezdemir on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Moncton, submitting Oezdemir with a third-round rear-naked choke after dropping the opening two rounds. The performance pushed Smith’s winning streak at light heavyweight to three straight, and very well could’ve put him in pole position for the next shot at the 205-pound throne.
Check out how the pros reacted to Smith’s grueling victory below, plus the best of the rest from a busy night at UFC Moncton.
VOLKAN OEZDEMIR VS. ANTHONY SMITH
What a win for Anthony Smith I had picked against him but I was wrong. Well done #UFCMoncton
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 28, 2018
Huge win for Smith he showed the heart of a lion
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 28, 2018
That was an impressive performance by @lionheartsmith and a solid victory making the most of his only takedown #UFCMoncton
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) October 28, 2018
Well done @lionheartsmith We all knew it was just a matter of time!! Can’t wait to see you battle for the @ufc gold!! #UFCMonctcon #ScottMortonBJJ
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) October 28, 2018
Wow, gut wrenching performance. Both guys emptied out their tanks. Good fight #MainEvent #SmithVsOezdemir #UFCMoncton
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) October 28, 2018
Great work @lionheartsmith !!!
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) October 28, 2018
My brother @lionheartsmith brings it and leaves it in there everytime! So proud of you!
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 28, 2018
@lionheartsmith nice work man!
— tim means (@MeansTim) October 28, 2018
What a performance by @lionheartsmith
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 28, 2018
I felt like I was watching a Disney movie during Smith’s post fight interview #UFCMoncton
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) October 28, 2018
It was OK https://t.co/lxGvqC5Pf0
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 28, 2018
MICHAEL JOHNSON DEF. ARTEM LOBOV
Ok, hear me out. Artem is doing better than most expected here but, his main sparring partner is a long rangy southpaw who primarily boxes. He won’t be too thrown off by Micheal Johnson’s game who most expected to win fairly easily. War GOAT #MMAmath #UFCMoncton
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) October 28, 2018
That reach disadvantage for Artem plays a big factor against him. It’s still amazing to me, the amount of success he’s had (disregarding CM’s help). Artem does a lot of things well, but it doesn’t matter much if you can’t reach your target. Johnson looking clean. #UFCMoncton
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 28, 2018
This fight is close. I got Johnson 2-0 but I wouldn’t be surprised at 1-1 & don’t be surprised if Lobov cleans Johnson up with a KO in the third. #UFCMoncton
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) October 28, 2018
I will say that fighting Artem is awkward and takes some mid fight adjusting #UFCMoncton
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 28, 2018
My dude @FollowTheMenace was on fire in the 3rd #UFCMoncton
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) October 28, 2018
@FollowTheMenace congrats my brother well done. #MJ @ufc
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) October 28, 2018
It looked like they was having a convo after the fight like
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) October 28, 2018
The Menace: "yo... so we still for that 20% right?! Canada bout to tax the hell out me."
Lobov: "Yeah man... I got you I got you" lol
Good fight fellas#UFCMoncton
MISHA CIRKUNOV DEF. PATRICK CUMMINS
Cirkunov! Let it go!!
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 28, 2018
ANDRE SOUKHAMTHATH DEF. JONATHAN MARTINEZ
This ref should be in Kayne’s I love it video #UFCMoncton
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) October 28, 2018
My dude #squkhamthath looking fire right now !! Kid’s out of @365hardknocks so you know he brings the heat #UFCMoncton
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) October 28, 2018
Terrible breaks by the ref holy cow!! Both at critical times!
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) October 28, 2018
This fight should not have been this close. And obviously there was a lot of one sided beat downs, from Soukhamthath, but this fight should’ve have gotten that far IMHO. He had big opportunities to close the show in the 1st.#UFCMoncton.
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 28, 2018
No one makes me want to do a backflip onto an upside down lawn mower more than soukemasjdhndb
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) October 28, 2018
GIAN VILLANTE DEF. ED HERMAN
I think the homie @GPVillante won that fight 2rounds to 1 ..... #UFCMoncton
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) October 28, 2018
I would like to see some ginger on ginger violence!! @smilensam v @EdHermanufc would be a really fun fight! #UFC
— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) October 28, 2018
My heart!! My heart!!! ❤️ #GPVillante!! #UFCMoncton
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) October 28, 2018
Poll
Whose performance stood out the most to you at UFC Moncton?
This poll is closed
-
73%
Anthony Smith def. Volkan Oezdemir
-
5%
Michael Johnson def. Artem Lobov
-
15%
Misha Circkunov def. Patrick Cummins
-
1%
Andre Soukhamthath def. Jonathan Martinez
-
2%
Gian Villante def. Ed Herman
-
2%
Court McGee def. Alex Garcia