Anthony Smith's Bare Knuckle MMA Debut: Bold Prediction from Parker Porter

The upcoming bare knuckle MMA bout between Anthony Smith and Chase Sherman has drawn significant attention, with former UFC fighter Parker Porter sharing his insightful prediction. Porter, who has prior experience fighting Sherman, believes Smith holds a substantial advantage in this unique format.

Anthony Smith is set to make his bare knuckle MMA debut against former BKFC heavyweight champion and ex-UFC veteran Chase Sherman. This clash is part of Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA promotion, which is returning with tournaments for heavyweights and lightweights.

Parker Porter, reflecting on the matchup, expressed his keen interest and shared his analysis. He stated that while Smith is stepping up to the heavyweight division and facing a new challenge with bare knuckle rules, his overall skill and talent are undeniable.

"I think that’s going to be a great matchup. I’m interested to see [it]… That’s going to be really interesting to see because obviously I think Anthony Smith is an incredible fighter, super talented, very well-rounded. So to see him step up to the heavyweight division and see how he handles that difference in size and weight. He is by no means a small guy to begin with."

"The fact that he was even cutting down to 205 [pounds] is impressive. I got the opportunity to meet him when I fought in Singapore. I think that’s going to be very much in Anthony’s favor. But then again, also, not only is he going up to heavyweight, but he’s also having the new element of taking the gloves off where that changes things a little bit. Some people don’t always respond well to that. But I would still be putting my money on Anthony Smith for that one. No, flak or smoke towards Chase Sherman. I just think Anthony’s just that good of a fighter."

When questioned about Smith's ability to adapt to bare knuckle fighting, Porter emphasized that Smith's extensive experience makes him resilient to the different impact of bare knuckle strikes. He believes Smith won't easily falter, even if he experiences a different sensation from a bare-knuckle hit compared to a gloved punch.

"I think more because like when you get hit with a bare knuckle versus a gloved hand, that’s a different feeling. It’s a different sensation but with somebody like Anthony who has the level of experience that he has, he’s not just going to all of a sudden crumble up and start to turn tail. Just because he got tagged a little bit different or something hurt a little bit more than what he’s experienced in the past versus a glove."

Porter further elaborated on Smith's potential advantages, particularly highlighting his strong grappling skills. He believes that the absence of gloves will significantly benefit Smith's jiu-jitsu game, allowing for better grips and more opportunities for submission attempts.

"With [Anthony Smith] having such a strong jiu-jitsu game, taking the gloves off is a huge advantage for him. Now he can grip everything better. He can sneak his hands into tighter situations for different kinds of submissions such as rear naked [chokes] and whatnot. I think yeah, and I still think that this is going to be heavily in Anthony’s advantage."

Porter also expressed his relief and excitement for the return of Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA, noting that it provides valuable entertainment for bare knuckle fight fans.

"100%. Yeah, I was actually really nervous when I saw that Gamebred had the big layoff that they did. I was like, “Oh no, has something gone [wrong]?” Like we got to bring that back. It’s kind of a staple in the bare knuckle world. So I’m really happy to see that they’re coming back with that show and then also having somebody like Anthony Smith versus Chase Sherman headlining that card."