UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith headed for surgery.
Smith on Monday told Ariel Helwani that he broke his left ankle in his fight against Magomed Ankalaev this past Saturday at UFC 277 in Dallas. The injury will require surgery. MMA Junkie subsequently confirmed the news.
Smith, 34, had his three-fight winning streak snapped by Ankalaev, who finished Smith in the second round with punches.
In the opening round, Ankalaev and Smith (36-17 MMA, 11-7 UFC) exchanged kicks in the center of the cage. Both men landed, and a slip late in the raw caused Smith to fall on his back while Ankalaev stood over him and continued kicking him. Smith limped back to his corner after Round 1 and informed his trainers that he felt a potential issue.
Immediately after the stoppage at the 3:09 mark of Round 2, Smith told a member of the Texas commission that his left leg was broken before he was carried out of the octagon.
It’s unclear at this time how long Smith will be out of action.
