Former UFC mild heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith was arrested in Nebraska on Tuesday evening and faces three felony costs.
Anthony Smith arrested:
Smith is charged with home violence inflicting critical damage, first-degree false imprisonment and terroristic threats. His bail was set at $500,000 and features a no-contact order prohibiting him from contacting his spouse, Mikala. He’s at the moment being held on the Sarpy County Jail in Nebraska.
Full particulars concerning the alleged incident should not but identified. Anthony Smith appeared earlier than a decide Wednesday morning, the place his bail was set. If he will pay bail, he may very well be launched as early as as we speak.
Though lots of the information surrounding this case stay unknown, the fees are critical. Beneath Nebraska regulation, the home violence cost alone can carry as much as 20 years in jail if convicted. Court docket information don’t but element what led to Smith’s arrest, however a no-contact order identifies Smith’s spouse because the alleged sufferer.
Anthony Smith of the UFC:
Anthony Smith final competed within the UFC in April 2025, when he misplaced by first-round TKO to Zhang Minyan. Earlier this yr, he returned to competitors underneath the Gamebred Naked Knuckle MMA banner, defeating fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman.
Smith made his UFC debut in 2013, however misplaced with a kneebar within the first spherical and was subsequently dropped from the promotion. He returned to the UFC in 2016 and has fought 25 instances contained in the Octagon, posting a report of 13 wins and 12 losses.
Smith has headlined eight UFC occasions throughout his profession. Following his victory over Volkan Oezdemir in October 2018, “Lionheart” earned a shot on the mild heavyweight title in opposition to Jon Jones. Though Jones dominated the competition, Smith earned widespread respect for persevering with after absorbing an unlawful knee that might have led to a disqualification victory. As a substitute of profitable the championship by disqualification, Smith selected to proceed preventing, however in the end misplaced by unanimous determination.
Since 2018, Smith has additionally labored as a UFC analyst. After his retirement from combined martial arts competitors, he expanded his position and have become a daily on the promotion’s broadcast desk.
Smith’s arrest additionally renews the controversy in regards to the challenges many fighters face after retirement. A number of former athletes have spoken candidly in regards to the psychological, emotional, and monetary challenges that include life after competitors. UFC heavyweight Alvin Hines based the “Past the Cage” Basis to offer assets and help to fighters who’re retiring and transitioning into retirement.
The long-term results of repeated head trauma can also be a part of a broader dialogue. Whereas there may be at the moment no proof linking Smith’s actions to any neurological sickness, considerations about continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and different mind accidents stay prevalent all through the martial arts group. Any dialogue of CTE must be thought-about in isolation from the authorized course of and shouldn’t be construed as an excuse for the allegations dealing with Mr. Smith.
Anthony Smith stays in custody pending authorized proceedings. Extra particulars concerning the alleged incident are anticipated to emerge within the coming days and we’ll proceed to offer updates as extra data turns into obtainable.
