Despite openly admitting, “I probably stuck around too long,” Anthony Smith’s own words reveal an internal tug-of-war — a quiet battle between the logical choice to step away and the emotional pull of the Octagon. He knows that life as a father, husband, and fully-present man outside the cage matters most now. But deep down, he also knows that fighting has shaped every corner of his identity.
Like many elite athletes and performers, Smith seems to thrive in high-stakes environments. It’s not just the combat that fed him — it was everything surrounding it. The rituals, the bright lights, the anticipation before the walkout, the roar of the crowd — that’s what energized him. He may be stepping away from competition, but that doesn’t mean the fight is stepping away from him.
To his credit, Smith appears more grounded than many of his peers. Transitioning into a broadcast role with the UFC and ESPN gives him a chance to stay connected while carving out a new chapter. It’s a smart move — both financially and emotionally — and offers a way to redefine his purpose without walking back into the fire.
But it does raise an important question:
Is this analyst role part of a healthy exit plan…
Or just a gentler hit of the same addiction?