Anthony Smith is set to make his bare knuckle MMA debut against Chase Sherman. Parker Porter, a fighter with previous UFC experience against Sherman, has shared his insights on the upcoming bout. Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA promotion is returning with two $500,000 tournaments for heavyweight and lightweight fighters competing under bare knuckle rules.
Porter, who secured a UFC victory over Chase Sherman in the past, believes Anthony Smith will face Sherman in the heavyweight division. Smith is coming out of a brief retirement to compete in this matchup. The fight is scheduled to take place at Ovalo Feria Ganadera in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Friday, April 10th.
Porter expressed his thoughts on the Smith vs. Sherman fight, stating that he anticipates a compelling matchup. He is particularly interested in seeing how Smith, a highly skilled and well-rounded fighter, adapts to the heavyweight division and the difference in size and weight. Porter acknowledged that Smith himself is not a small fighter, noting that his ability to cut down to 205 pounds is impressive.
Porter is leaning towards Smith to win, believing the fight will be heavily in his favor. He also highlighted the added element of bare knuckle fighting, which can significantly alter the dynamics of a bout. While acknowledging that some fighters may not respond well to fighting without gloves, Porter still puts his money on Smith, not to diminish Sherman’s abilities, but because of Smith’s exceptional fighting prowess.
When questioned about whether Smith’s adaptability to bare knuckle techniques, particularly his submission skills, played a role in his assessment, Porter explained that the sensation of being hit with a bare fist differs from a gloved hand. However, he believes that an experienced fighter like Anthony Smith will not falter easily, even if he experiences a different level of impact.
Porter further elaborated on the matchup, emphasizing that Smith’s strong jiu-jitsu game presents a considerable advantage in bare knuckle MMA. He noted that the absence of gloves allows for better gripping, enabling Smith to secure submissions more effectively, such as rear-naked chokes. Porter reiterated his belief that the fight will heavily favor Anthony Smith.
Porter also expressed his relief at Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA’s return after a period of inactivity, recognizing the promotion’s importance in the bare knuckle fighting scene. He is pleased to see them back and is particularly excited about the main event featuring Anthony Smith against Chase Sherman.