Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is having a huge legal battle over allegations of domestic violence in Sarpy County, Nebraska.
On July 27, 2026, the 38-year-old MMA veteran was arrested after allegedly getting into an altercation with his wife the night before in Gretna. Smith now has three felony charges: attempted first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment.
Prosecutors told Smith’s bond hearing on July 29 in an aggravated manner about the alleged events. The details of the argument with his wife were reported at the local bar, where Smith attempted to enter his wife’s car, authorities said, according to details reported by MMA Fighting.
Prosecutors also claimed she somehow managed to get out of the car on the trip but was convinced to come back. Smith is said to have tried to hit her several times in the vehicle once they reached their home. She said she was never hit and had no physical injuries during the time of the alleged incident.
A Sarpy County judge set Smith’s bond at $500,000. The former UFC fighter was later released on bond and taken care of. One of the conditions of his release was also reportedly a no-contact order with the alleged victim.
The case is expected to proceed to court on Aug. 17, which is when Smith will return. According to the arrest affidavit, he has not been released, and Smith has not commented publicly on the charges at the time of this writing.
Smith, who is beloved of MMA fans as “Lionheart,” competed against Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2019. He retired from the UFC after he lost his last fight against Zhang Mingyang in April, 2025, but returned to the fighting scene and now fights in bare-knuckle MMA.
The allegations are a dramatic and serious development in Smith’s post-UFC career. All claims are allegations; however, in law, Anthony Smith is presumed not guilty unless he has been found guilty in a court of law.
