The bad blood between Anthony Smith and Lumumba Sayers spilled over into the cage in an action-packed fight that lasted less than a single full round. Smith put an end to the talk with a triangle choke that forced Sayers to tap almost immediately at 3:52 of the opening stanza.
Smith came out loose to start, flashing his jab and working kicks from the bell. Sayers ducked an early right hand and took the fight to the mat, but after a scramble, Smith ended up on top in a dominating full mount position. Smith did little damage from the top after posturing up as he left enough space for Sayers to escape out the back door.
Sayers moved to the back of Smith and looked to take the fight back to the mat, but Smith used a kimura to turn the tables on Sayers. A scramble ensued resulting in both fighters making their way back to their feet. Smith went back to work with a monster leg kick, then slipped while throwing a wild overhand right. Sayers followed and went to work from the top but it was Smith again that was able to win the ground battle, locking up a tight triangle choke that forced the tap from Sayers.
The victory extends the win streak of Anthony Smith (17-8 MMA) to three and improves his record to 2-1 under the Strikeforce banner.