Smith Falls Ill, Withdraws From Kelly Fight

Anthony Smith has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against Magomed Ankalaev due to illness.

Smith was set to face Ankalaev in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 277 on July 30. However, Smith has been forced to withdraw from the fight due to an undisclosed illness.

This is the second time that Smith has been forced to withdraw from a fight against Ankalaev. The pair were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 267 in October 2021, but Smith withdrew from that fight due to injury.

It is not yet known when Smith will be able to return to action. In the meantime, Ankalaev will remain on the UFC 277 card and is expected to face a replacement opponent.

Smith's withdrawal is a major blow to the UFC 277 card.

The fight between Smith and Ankalaev was one of the most anticipated matchups on the card. Smith is a former title challenger, while Ankalaev is one of the rising stars in the light heavyweight division.

With Smith out of the fight, the UFC will need to find a replacement opponent for Ankalaev. There are several potential opponents who could step in, including Ryan Spann, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos.

The UFC has not yet announced who will replace Smith in the fight against Ankalaev. However, the promotion is expected to make an announcement in the coming days.