Former UFC gentle heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith was arrested Monday evening in Nebraska and is going through three felony prices, in keeping with jail data and a number of media studies.
Smith, 38, was booked into the Sarpy County Jail after his arrest. Court docket data, confirmed by MMA Preventing, point out he has been charged with home violence inflicting critical bodily damage, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. Authorities haven’t but launched particulars concerning the alleged incident that led to the costs.
As of Tuesday, Smith remained in custody whereas the case proceeds by the Nebraska authorized system. Data concerning bond, a court docket look, or authorized illustration had not been publicly disclosed on the time of publication.
The fees are among the many most critical Smith has confronted throughout his profession. Beneath Nebraska regulation, home violence inflicting critical bodily damage is a felony offense, whereas terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment are additionally felony crimes. A felony cost is an allegation, and Smith is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible in court docket.
Smith turned one of many UFC’s prime gentle heavyweight contenders throughout an expert MMA profession spanning greater than a decade. Nicknamed “Lionheart,” he challenged Jon Jones for the UFC gentle heavyweight championship at UFC 235 in 2019 and later turned a revered analyst masking the game.
After asserting his retirement from UFC competitors in 2025, Smith returned to motion earlier this yr in a bare-knuckle MMA occasion, the place he earned a submission victory over Chase Sherman.
Investigators haven’t publicly disclosed the circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses, and no possible trigger affidavit or police narrative had been launched as of Tuesday. Further info is anticipated to emerge as court docket proceedings proceed.
