In a stunning turn of events at UFC Vegas 83, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith suffered a devastating knockout loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. Smith, 35, expressed his remorse to his fans and supporters following the fight.

The electrifying bout took place at the ESPN+ event, where Rountree delivered a powerful left hand that flattened Smith early in the third round. While teetering on the canvas, Smith avoided further damage due to Rountree's restraint. The knockout occurred just 56 seconds into the final frame.

Taking to Instagram, Smith issued an apology to his fans and congratulated Rountree for his outstanding performance. "Congrats to Khalil and his team," Smith wrote. "Helluva performance. You deserve it. Sorry to everyone who supports me. I gave it my all. Sometimes that's not enough."

Despite the setback, Smith refrained from making definitive statements regarding his future in the sport. This loss comes after a recent victory over Ryan Spann in his previous outing, highlighting the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts.

Known not only for his fighting career but also as a regular UFC analyst, Smith stepped up to face Rountree on short notice. The matchup was arranged after Rountree's original opponent, Azamat Murzakanov, fell ill and withdrew from the card.

In a bold move during his post-fight speech, Rountree called out light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. This victory represents Rountree's fifth consecutive win in the octagon, a remarkable comeback after enduring a 1-3 stretch that temporarily dampened hopes of his title contention.

The UFC Vegas 83 event will be remembered for the thrilling clash between Anthony Smith and Khalil Rountree Jr., as well as Rountree's successful call-out. Fans eagerly await future developments in the light heavyweight division as fighters aim to secure their spots at the top.