Reyes Reveals Smith’s Mid-Fight Request
Dominick Reyes stopped Anthony Smith by second-round TKO on December 7, 2024. After the fight, Reyes described an unusual moment from the first round: he said Smith lowered his hands and asked Reyes to punch him. The bout came shortly after the death of Smith’s longtime coach and friend, Scott Morton.
Reyes’s account of the exchange
Reyes told reporters that Smith put his hands down during the opening round and said, “Punch me in the face.” Reyes said he responded with a punch, describing it as part of his job in a professional fight. Those details come from Reyes’s post-fight account, as reported by MMA Junkie. The report also quotes Reyes saying Smith was fighting for his friend. Reyes’s explanation provides the context for the moment; it does not establish Smith’s private thoughts beyond what Reyes observed and recounted.
A difficult night for Smith
Smith was grieving Morton, who had been his coach and close friend. The promotion’s profile published before the event described the fight as Smith’s first since his coach’s passing and discussed the effect of the loss. Reyes also told reporters that Smith was emotional in the cage. That context helps explain the unusual exchange, but the account of the request itself remains Reyes’s recollection.
Official result
The fight ended at 4:46 of the second round, when Reyes won by TKO (strikes). The event’s official results record the finish. Smith had lowered his hands during the first round, but the bout continued until Reyes’s second-round ground-and-pound prompted the stoppage.
Sources
- MMA Junkie: Reyes recounts Smith’s request during the fight
- Official profile: Anthony Smith and his coach Scott Morton
- Official event results
Sources
Tags: MMA
