Former UFC mild heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith was arrested Tuesday night in Nebraska and is going through three felony expenses.
Anthony Smith arrested:
Smith has been charged with home violence inflicting severe bodily damage, first-degree false imprisonment, and terroristic threats. His bond has been set at $500,000 and features a no-contact order prohibiting him from contacting his spouse, Mikhala. He’s at present being held on the Sarpy County Jail in Nebraska.
The complete particulars surrounding the alleged incident are nonetheless rising. Anthony Smith appeared earlier than a decide Wednesday morning, the place his bond was set. If he is ready to submit bond, he could possibly be launched from custody as early as immediately.
Whereas most of the info surrounding the case stay unknown, the costs are severe. Below Nebraska regulation, the home violence cost alone carries a possible jail sentence of as much as 20 years if convicted. Courtroom data haven’t but detailed the occasions that led to Smith’s arrest, although the no-contact order signifies his spouse is the alleged sufferer.
Anthony Smith within the UFC:
Anthony Smith final competed within the UFC in April 2025, when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Zhang Mingyang. Earlier this 12 months, he returned to competitors underneath the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA banner, defeating fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman.
Smith initially made his UFC debut in 2013, the place he misplaced by first-round kneebar and was subsequently launched from the promotion. He earned his method again to the UFC in 2016 and went on to struggle 25 instances contained in the Octagon, compiling a 13-12 file with the group.
Smith headlined eight UFC occasions throughout his profession. Following a victory over Volkan Oezdemir in October 2018, “Lionheart” earned a lightweight heavyweight title shot towards Jon Jones. Though Jones dominated the competition, Smith earned widespread respect for persevering with after absorbing an unlawful knee that might have resulted in a disqualification victory. As an alternative of taking the championship by disqualification, Smith selected to proceed preventing and finally misplaced by unanimous choice.
Since 2018, Smith has additionally labored as a UFC analyst. Following his retirement from blended martial arts competitors, he expanded that position and have become a daily fixture on the promotion’s broadcast desk.
Smith’s arrest additionally renews dialogue in regards to the challenges many fighters face after retirement. A number of former athletes have spoken overtly in regards to the psychological, emotional, and monetary struggles that may accompany life after competitors. UFC heavyweight Alvin Hines created the “Beyond the Cage” Foundation in an effort to supply assets and help for retired fighters transitioning into retirement.
The long-term results of repeated head trauma are additionally more likely to turn out to be a part of the broader dialog. Whereas there isn’t any proof presently linking Smith’s alleged actions to any neurological situation, considerations about persistent traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and different mind accidents stay prevalent all through fight sports activities. Any dialogue of CTE must be seen individually from the authorized course of and shouldn’t be interpreted as an excuse for the allegations Smith is going through.
Anthony Smith stays in custody because the authorized course of strikes ahead. Extra particulars surrounding the alleged incident are anticipated to emerge within the coming days, and we are going to proceed to supply updates as extra info turns into out there.
