UFC contender Anthony Smith to Daniel Cormier: ‘Put up your title or get out of my way’

Anthony Smith may have a big main event fight lined up next against Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night: Moncton in October, but “Lionheart” is making one thing clear, he doesn’t want current 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier to delay his path to UFC gold.

Smith (30-13) is coming off impressive first round knockout victories over two MMA veterans in Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Rashad Evans. After those two fights at light-heavyweight Smith has already found himself ranked in the top ten of the division, and he has his sights set on the title.

“I think a finish over Oezdemir puts me in line for a title shot. I’m not here to challenge DC to a fight. The only thing I challenge DC to do is do the right thing.” Smith told Submission Radio on Wednesday.

“I think that DC has had a really great career, I think that he’s been a great champion, I think that he’s a stand-up guy for the most part. I think that the UFC and the game as a whole has been good to him I challenge him to return that back to the game and either sign on the line and put up your title or get out of my way and don’t hold up my journey.”

On his fight against Oezdemir on October 27th, Smith is confident we will see the same ending as his last two fights, a quick finish in his favour. Out of his six wins in the UFC, five have been by stoppage for Smith.

“I think that it’s another brutal finish. I really do. I think that our styles match up perfectly for me. Volkan’s not shooting takedowns, it’s just not happening. So even if he watches this and decides, ‘alright, I’m gonna take him down because he’s not gonna be expecting it,’ it doesn’t matter because Volkan doesn’t have it in him.

“Not that he’s not able to, but just his style and his mentality. Volkan’s not shooting any takedowns. So, with the threat of a takedown completely off the table, I don’t think that there’s anyone at 205 that’s gonna win a striking battle with me.”