Gilbert Smith Discusses His Upcoming Retirement Fight at LFA 22

AXS TV Fights released a new video interview with Gilbert Smith ahead of his upcoming fight at LFA 22. Smith is going to fight in MMA for the last time against Benjamin Smith for tonight’s LFA fight card. Below are some highlights and a video of the interview.

Gilbert Smith on wanting the proper place for his retirement: “On the show, when I retired, I felt like that wasn’t the best atmosphere for me to retire. I felt like I took away from the experience from my training partners, my coaches, my family, my friends. And even the fans. Because, when I retired, it didn’t show until like three, four months later. I didn’t have the people who brought me up around me. So this fight is dedicated to them. This is why I’m doing this fight, it’s for everybody who supported me throughout the years.”

Smith on why he’s finishing his career: “Fighting is something that I enjoyed doing, but then I didn’t. I love to compete. I’m a very competitive person. But hurting people or being hurt, it’s never been something I was thrilled about. It’s funny because I am a very emotional person. Call me a sensitive thug. I do think I probably will be emotional. I think it’s going to be a very joyous occasion. So if I cry, it’s not sad tears. It’s tears of happiness. Tears of feeling like I’ve done what I wanted to do. I lived my life. I lived my dream. I’m very thankful for it.”

Smith on not having a gameplan: “At the end of the day, I don’t even have a gameplan. I’m just going to go out there and fight him, and we’ll see what happens. I mean, I want to win, and I train to win. But I don’t really care about the results. I just want to enjoy the moment. Go out there and just have fun. What happens, happens. I’m proud of my career. I have no shame, and I’m just going to go out there and do the best I can do, and just show love to everybody. ”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OUpB5fF9Fs