Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith has been arrested in Nebraska on three felony charges, according to authorities. John W. Reisz, Chief Deputy Sarpy County Attorney, confirmed to TMZ that Smith faces charges of attempted first-degree domestic violence, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment.
Charges and Legal Consequences
The attempted first-degree domestic violence charge carries a possible prison sentence of 1 to 50 years, Reisz said. The terroristic threats charge is punishable by up to three years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and 9 to 18 months of post-release supervision. Smith is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing at 8 a.m. on Wednesday at the Sarpy County Correctional Center.
Smith, 38, was booked into a county jail on Monday evening shortly before 9 p.m. Authorities have not disclosed the circumstances leading to the arrest, but the charges are considered serious.
MMA Career and Background
Smith retired from the UFC after his loss to Mingyang Zhang in April 2025, following a long career as a top middleweight and light heavyweight fighter. He challenged Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2019 but lost the bout. Despite announcing his retirement, Smith returned to competition earlier this year under Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion, where he won by first-round stoppage.
At the time of this report, Smith had not yet appeared before a judge, and his bond had not been set.
