Anthony Smith open to fighting vs. Nikita Krylov: ‘I have got a lot of respect for that guy.’

Lionheart would like to test his skills against a well-rounded light heavyweight fighter next.

As he was working as an analyst for ESPN on Saturday, the veteran light heavyweight contender heard his name mentioned by Nikita Krylov just after Krylov picked up an impressive win over Volkan Oezdemir on the UFC 280 preliminary card.

“I think it will be great with [Anthony] Smith,” Krylov said. “I think he’s No. 5 in the rankings. I will be really happy if the organization gives me a fight with him. If he can’t or he’s scared, I can fight with anyone, everyone.”

Smith could only react with a smile, especially after hearing Krylov suggest that there’s even the slightest chance that he might be frightened by that particular matchup.

“Scared?” Smith said. “I have a lot of respect for Nikita Krylov. I said several times before that he’s kind of the dark horse in the division. He put [Alexander Gustafsson’s] lights out fast. Like nobody gets rid of Gustafsson like that. I fought him and it took me four rounds to get him out of there. I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy. The answer is and always is to everybody in the division — yes. I’m totally down. Maybe March? I’m in.”

Smith is currently healing up from a broken leg he suffered in his most recent fight against Magomed Ankalaev in July. The injury occurred in the opening round, which then led to Ankalaev securing the finish just a few moments later when it was clear Smith was compromised.

If Smith is now targeting March for a possible return date it seems like the blood clot didn’t slow him down all that much. Whether or not the UFC decides to book Smith against Krylov in 2023 remains to be seen.

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