A victorious Anthony Smith (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Heading into UFC 261, some people had Anthony Smith as a considerable underdog for his figt with Jimmy Crute, and the longtime contender seems surprised by that fact.

The 32-year-old Smith faced the 25-year-old on Saturday night, and was awarded the stoppage win. In the opening round, Smith blasted the leg of Crute with a hard kick, which compromised the limb, significantly. Although Crute wanted to keep fighting and came out for round two, the bout was waved off.

While discussing the pivotal win afterward, Smith had this to say about his underdog status (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“You see all the predictions, pundits and fans online, and they really thought he was going to smoke me – like it wasn’t going to be competitive,” Smith told reporters at the UFC 261 post-fight news conference. “I just didn’t see it going like that. I’ve been in this game for 15 years. I had 30 professional fights before Jimmy Crute (began fighting).

“It’s not like he’s going to come in there and blow me out out the water, including when Jon Jones was here. (Jones) didn’t dust me, didn’t blow me out of the water or make me look like I don’t belong.”

The victory moved Smith’s record to 35-16 and it was the rugged fighter’s second straight. Crute, meanwhile, incurred just his second loss to date and now carries a record of 12-2.