Anthony Smith surprised many when, on the tail of two disheartening defeats to top light heavyweights Glover Teixeira and Aleksandar Rakic, he chose to take a relatively short-notice fight against Devin Cark at UFC Vegas 15. Once a title challenger opposite the untouchable Jon Jones, Smith appeared to need time to regroup, at least from an outsider’s perspective.
Instead, he opted to step in when Shamil Gamzatov fell out of the Clark fight shortly after it was booked. But while the pair had prepped for a three-round affair, with the loss of Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis (due to Blaydes testing positive for COVID-19), suddenly, the pair topped the UFC Vegas 15 card. And a 15-minute encounter became a potential five-round affair.
Would the extra ten minutes impact either fighter, if it went the distance? Would Smith right the ship, or would Clark continue his impressive 2020 — despite the recent loss of his Mother-in-Law? UFC Vegas 15’s makeshift main event had a lot of questions attached to it.
Clark came out quick and pressed Smith into the cage after a big right hand, but Smith got the take down and worked Clark back to the middle of the cage. Smith worked from the back of his opponent, but Clark reversed position and ended up in Smith’s full guard. Smith worked for a triangle from the bottom, locked it in tight and forced the tap from Clark! A quick, statement win from “Lionheart.”
🦁❤️ @LionheartASmith is BACK! #UFCVegas15 on ESPN and E+ pic.twitter.com/ehmdv3T0UR
— UFC (@ufc) November 29, 2020
The finish was a much-needed win for Smith, one that keeps him relevant at 205lbs.
Official Result: Anthony Smith def. Devin Clark by submission (triangle choke), Round 1, 2:34
