Following the great fight between Glover Teixeira and Maurício Shogun in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 3, it's time for another veteran to return to action, but this time, in bare-knuckle MMA. The former UFC light heavyweight world title challenger (up to 93 kg) will return to professional fighting on October 2nd, in a heavyweight bout (up to 120,2 kg) against Jordan Heiderman, as the main attraction of the event promoted by Jorge Masvidal at Gamebred FC.
The information was released by the organization's official Instagram profile last Wednesday (2). The duel will be the first event promoted under Gamebred FC's new commercial agreement with Dazn in the Dominican Republic and is part of the company's heavyweight GP (up to 120,2 kg), whose prize money is valued at US$ 500 thousand (More than R$ 250 million).
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This will be the 38-year-old veteran's second experience competing without gloves. In his debut in the organization, in April of this year, he submitted Chase Sherman with a rear-naked choke in the first round and returned to winning ways after three consecutive losses in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
UFC veteran Anthony Smith was recently arrested.
Anthony Smith was arrested in the United States. Photo: Reproduction/MMAFighting
The announcement caught the attention of fans due to Smith's recent history. In July of this year, the wrestler was arrested on charges of assaulting his wife. He is currently free on bail and has received permission from the judge to leave the country and compete in the event. Regarding the matter, the Gamebred FC profile itself issued a statement on behalf of its president, Lex McMahon.
“Anthony faces serious accusations and, like anyone in this country, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence while his case proceeds through the courts. He has pleaded not guilty, and this process deserves to follow its full and fair course in due time, without promotional actions, headlines, or public opinion preempting the facts.”
Anthony also has a family to support, and it is through competing that he does so. Preventing him from earning a living before he even has the opportunity to defend himself in court is not something Gamebred FC is willing to do to him or to the people who depend on him. Jorge and I have known Anthony and his family for years. What we have seen, up close and over time, is a loving and dedicated husband and father—nothing more than that. This does not mean that we are turning a blind eye to what has been reported. It means that we also know there is more to this story than what has made the headlines. And we believe that Anthony deserves the chance to tell his side of the story in full, in the appropriate environment, and not through speculation,” part of the statement read.
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