Anthony Smith (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Anthony Smith is booked to face Alexander Gustafsson this Saturday at UFC Stockholm, but “Lionheart” admits that initially, he wasn’t keen on taking the fight.

Smith was asked about taking the match-up not long after he lost via decision to light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones at UFC 235. That card took place on March 2nd.

Recently Smith spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing how he originally felt about the quick turn-around booking, the former middleweight said this:

“Initially, it wasn’t what I want to do,” Smith said. “But that’s part of life, is doing what you need to do, not what you want to do. I knew if I turned the fight down, I would have regretted it later.

“It was just so fresh after the Jon fight, the last thing I wanted to think about was fighting. But I knew once the initial shock and disappointment and depression wore off a bit, I’d want to get back on the horse. Fortunately, I was right.”

“Most people wouldn’t have taken this Alex fight, and that’s just who I am. I’m going to do it because I said I would do it. And after this, I’ll take the break that I need to fix the things I need to get fixed.”

Smith also reported, however, that intends to take a break after facing Gustafsson. The latter hasn’t competed since he was stopped by Jon Jones at UFC 232 in December.