UFC Veteran Anthony Smith Ends Retirement for Bareknuckle MMA Tournament

The 37-year-old fighter will compete in Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA event.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Former UFC title challenger and 25-fight UFC veteran Anthony Smith is set to make his return to MMA after announcing his retirement last year. Smith, who has a total of 59 professional MMA bouts, will compete in the upcoming Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA tournament hosted by Jorge Masvidal.

Why it matters

Smith's return to MMA after a brief retirement is notable, as he was a top contender in the UFC light heavyweight division, challenging Jon Jones for the title in 2019. His participation in the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA tournament also highlights the growing popularity of bare-knuckle fighting events.

The details

The Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA tournament will feature 16-man heavyweight and lightweight brackets, each with a $500,000 prize pool. Smith will move up to heavyweight to take on fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman. Other notable matchups include Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman, Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko, and Todd Duffee vs. Bruno Cappelozza.

  • The heavyweight tournament is scheduled for April 10 in the Dominican Republic.
  • The lightweight tournament is scheduled for May 1 in Miami, Florida.

The players

Anthony Smith

A 37-year-old former UFC title challenger and 25-fight UFC veteran with a total of 59 professional MMA bouts.

Jorge Masvidal

The founder of the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion, which is hosting the upcoming tournaments.

Chase Sherman

A UFC veteran who will face Anthony Smith in the heavyweight tournament.

Guto Inocente

A fighter who will compete in the heavyweight tournament.

Mohammed Usman

A recently suspended UFC fighter who will face Guto Inocente in the heavyweight tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The initial batch of confirmed fights for the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight tournament on April 10 have been announced, and the remaining four matchups are expected to be revealed in the coming days.

The takeaway

Anthony Smith's return to MMA after a brief retirement, and his participation in the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA tournament, highlights the continued popularity and growth of alternative MMA and combat sports events outside of the traditional UFC framework.