Anthony Smith KOs Shogun in 90 seconds at UFC Hamburg
Anthony Smith has dispatched two UFC legends in his last two walks to the Octagon.
Smith finished Shogun Rua with a flurry of strikes less than 90 seconds into the main event of UFC Fight Night 134 in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday. The knockout victory put a sudden stop to Rua's three-fight win streak.
Viewers beware, a mauling just took place!
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 22, 2018
Anthony Smith dominates Shogun Rua in one. pic.twitter.com/SDQ2kEQdMj
The decisive win comes on the heels of Smith's evisceration of Rashad Evans at UFC 225 in June.
After taking down Rua, the No. 3-ranked light heavyweight, Smith called out the division's No. 1 contender, Alexander Gustafsson.
"Man, I respect Jimmy more than anybody in this division. He's powerful, he's great. But I think Gustafsson needs an opponent. Gustafsson, I'll see you in LA." - Anthony Smith #UFCHamburg
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) July 22, 2018
Gustafsson was scheduled to meet Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227 in L.A. on Aug. 4, but Oezdemir dropped out of the fight due to an injury.
As for Rua, the veteran had designs on a title shot. Champion Daniel Cormier recently said he'd entertain a matchup with Shogun before defending his heavyweight belt, but Sunday's result alters those plans.
And Smith's performance caught the eye of the two-division champ.
@lionheartsmith Impressive!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 22, 2018