# Anthony Smith (fighter)

Anthony J. Smith (born July 26, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2008, Smith has also formerly competed for Strikeforce and Bellator. As of February 25, 2025, he is #15 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

## Background

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Smith grew up in Nebraska City. He was raised by his single mother and grandfather, as his dad was absent. He has stated that he is biracial. Smith dropped out of high school in the middle of his senior year. He started working full-time as a concrete finisher, which he continued until 2016.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Smith started his career in 2008 and fought mainly for local promotions in the midwestern United States. He compiled a professional record of 13–7, with wins against WEC veterans Logan Clark, Eric Schambari and losses to UFC veterans Jake Hecht and Jesse Forbes, before signing with Strikeforce.

### Strikeforce

Smith made his Strikeforce debut on July 22, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker III against Ben Lagman, replacing an injured Louis Taylor. He won via KO in the second round.
Smith faced Adlan Amagov on November 18, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers. He lost via KO in the first round.
Smith faced Lumumba Sayers on August 18, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman. He won via submission in the first round.
Smith faced Roger Gracie on January 12, 2013, at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine. He lost via submission in the second round.
After the end of Strikeforce, Smith moved to the UFC.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his debut, Smith faced Antônio Braga Neto on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10. He lost the fight via kneebar submission in the first round. He was subsequently released from the UFC.

### Bellator MMA

On April 18, 2014, Smith made his Bellator MMA debut facing Victor Moreno at Bellator 117 winning via triangle choke submission in the second round.
Smith faced Brian Green on October 17, 2014, at Bellator 129. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

### Return to Ultimate Fighting Championship

On February 16, 2016, Smith was re-signed to the UFC. He faced promotional newcomer Leonardo Augusto Leleco on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83, replacing an injured Trevor Smith. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Smith was briefly scheduled to face Scott Askham on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. However, Askham pulled out of the bout on April 28 and was replaced by Cezar Ferreira. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Smith next faced Elvis Mutapčić on December 3, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale. He won the fight via TKO in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
Smith faced Andrew Sanchez on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. He won the fight via knockout due to a combination of knee and punches in the third round.
Smith faced Héctor Lombard on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116. He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.
Smith faced Thiago Santos on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 125. He lost the fight via technical knockout. Both participants received a Fight of the Night bonus.

#### Move to Light Heavyweight

Smith faced former champion Rashad Evans in his light heavyweight debut on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
On short notice, Smith replaced Volkan Oezdemir, and faced yet another former champion in Maurício Rua on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134 main event. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
In his third fight in five months, Smith faced Volkan Oezdemir on October 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138. He won the fight by submission in the third round. This win earned him the second consecutive Performance of the Night award.
In the highest profile fight of his career, Smith faced Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Smith faced Alexander Gustafsson on June 1, 2019, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 153. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the fourth round. The win also earned Smith a Performance of the Night bonus award.
Smith was scheduled to face Glover Teixeira on April 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 173. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and rescheduled to May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. Smith lost the fight via technical knockout in the fifth round.
Smith faced Aleksandar Rakić on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 175. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Smith faced Devin Clark on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark. He won the fight via a triangle choke submission in the first round.
Smith faced Jimmy Crute on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261. He won the fight by technical knockout before the second round after the doctor stopped the fight when Crute suffered foot drop as a result of a leg kick from Smith and was unable to continue.
Smith faced Ryan Spann on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Smith faced Magomed Ankalaev on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
Smith was scheduled to face Jamahal Hill on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. However, Hill was pulled from the bout after being rebooked to instead face Glover Teixeira for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283.
Smith faced Johnny Walker on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Smith faced Ryan Spann in a rematch on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. He won the close bout via split decision. 9 out of 14 media outlets scored the bout for Spann.
Smith faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on December 9, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 233, as a replacement for Azamat Murzakanov who fell ill with Pneumonia. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.
Smith faced Vitor Petrino on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301. He won the fight in the first round via a guillotine-choke submission.
Smith was scheduled to step in on short notice to face Carlos Ulberg on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303, as a replacement for an injured Jamahal Hill. However, one week before the event, Ulberg was forced to withdraw and was replaced by Roman Dolidze. Smith lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Smith faced former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship title challenger Dominick Reyes on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. He lost the fight by technical knockout via elbows and punches in the second round.
Smith is scheduled have his retirement fight against Mingyang Zhang on April 26, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 66.

## Professional grappling career

Smith competed against Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023. He lost the match by decision.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Performance of the Night (Six times) vs. Elvis Mutapčić, Maurício Rua, Volkan Oezdemir, Alexander Gustafsson, Devin Clark and Ryan Spann
** Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Thiago Santos
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2018: Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year
* Cage Fury Fighting Championships
** CFFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
* Victory Fighting Championships
** Victory FC Middleweight Championship (One time)

## Personal life
### Home invasion incident

At approximately 4:00 a.m. on April 5, 2020, an intruder gained entry to Smith's home in Nebraska through an opened garage door. Smith found him "screaming at the top of his lungs" in his computer room, and proceeded to fight the man for five minutes until the police arrived. Smith states that the intruder "took everything that I gave him – every punch, every knee, every elbow. He took every single one of them and kept fighting me", describing the ordeal "as one of the toughest fights" of his life. The man was later identified to be 21-year-old Luke Haberman, an accomplished former high school wrestler.

### Passing of coach

Weeks prior to his bout at UFC 310 in November 2024, Smith's longtime coach of over fifteen years Scott Morton passed away suddenly.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 59 matches | 38 wins | 21 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 12 |
| By submission | 15 | 4 |
| By decision | 3 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 38–21 | Dominick Reyes | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC 310 | December 7, 2024 | 2 | 4:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 38–20 | Roman Dolidze | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 303 | June 29, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 38–19 | Vitor Petrino | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 301 | May 4, 2024 | 1 | 2:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 37–19 | Khalil Rountree Jr. | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez | December 9, 2023 | 3 | 0:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 37–18 | Ryan Spann | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie | August 26, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 36–18 | Johnny Walker | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida | May 13, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 36–17 | Magomed Ankalaev | TKO (punches) | UFC 277 | July 30, 2022 | 2 | 3:09 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 36–16 | Ryan Spann | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann | September 18, 2021 | 1 | 3:47 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 35–16 | Jimmy Crute | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 261 | April 24, 2021 | 1 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 34–16 | Devin Clark | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark | November 28, 2020 | 1 | 2:34 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 33–16 | Aleksandar Rakić | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić | August 29, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 33–15 | Glover Teixeira | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira | May 13, 2020 | 5 | 1:04 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 33–14 | Alexander Gustafsson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith | June 1, 2019 | 4 | 2:38 | Stockholm, Sweden | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 32–14 | Jon Jones | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 235 | March 2, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones was deducted two points in round 4 after landing an illegal knee. |
| Win | 32–13 | Volkan Oezdemir | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 4:26 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 31–13 | Maurício Rua | KO (elbow and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith | July 22, 2018 | 1 | 1:29 | Hamburg, Germany | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 30–13 | Rashad Evans | KO (knee) | UFC 225 | June 9, 2018 | 1 | 0:53 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 29–13 | Thiago Santos | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders | February 3, 2018 | 2 | 1:03 | Belém, Brazil | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 29–12 | Héctor Lombard | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch | September 16, 2017 | 3 | 2:33 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 28–12 | Andrew Sanchez | KO (head kick and punches) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 9, 2017 | 3 | 3:52 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 27–12 | Elvis Mutapčić | TKO (elbow and punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions Finale | December 3, 2016 | 2 | 3:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 26–12 | Cezar Ferreira | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 26–11 | Leonardo Augusto Guimarães | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy | February 21, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 25–11 | Josh Neer | TKO (punches) | Victory FC 47 | January 14, 2016 | 1 | 3:27 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Won the VFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 24–11 | Brock Jardine | TKO (punches) | RFA 30 | September 18, 2015 | 1 | 3:00 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 23–11 | Tim Williams | TKO (knee) | Cage Fury FC 50 | July 18, 2015 | 1 | 1:02 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the CFFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 22–11 | Tim Williams | Submission (inverted triangle choke) | Cage Fury FC 46 | February 28, 2015 | 2 | 1:15 | Chester, Pennsylvania, United States | Won the CFFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–11 | Andrew Kapel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 12 | November 29, 2014 | 1 | 2:18 | New Town, North Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 20–11 | Brian Green | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 129 | October 17, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 19–11 | Victor Moreno | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 117 | April 18, 2014 | 2 | 0:59 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 18–11 | Josh Neer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Victory FC 41 | December 14, 2013 | 3 | 3:48 | Ralston, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 18–10 | Antônio Braga Neto | Submission (kneebar) | UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum | June 8, 2013 | 1 | 1:52 | Fortaleza, Brazil | |
| Loss | 18–9 | Roger Gracie | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine | January 12, 2013 | 2 | 3:16 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 18–8 | Lumumba Sayers | Submission (triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman | August 18, 2012 | 1 | 3:52 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 17–8 | Richard White | TKO (punches) | Disorderly Conduct: Fireworks | June 30, 2012 | 1 | 2:35 | Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 16–8 | Ian Berg | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Victory FC 37 | April 13, 2012 | 2 | 2:01 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 15–8 | Adlan Amagov | KO (punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers | November 18, 2011 | 1 | 2:32 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (188 lb) bout; Smith missed weight. |
| Win | 15–7 | Ben Lagman | KO (punch) | Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III | July 22, 2011 | 2 | 0:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–7 | Curtis Johnson | KO (punches) | Cornhusker Fight Club 6: Slugfest | July 9, 2011 | 1 | 3:13 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 13–7 | Eric Schambari | TKO (punches) | C3 Fights: MMA Championship Fights | June 4, 2011 | 1 | 1:46 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 12–7 | Matt Gabel | Submission (triangle choke) | Extreme Challenge 181 | April 15, 2011 | 1 | 1:50 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 11–7 | Demetrius Richards | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge 176 | February 11, 2011 | 2 | 2:07 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 10–7 | Ben Crowder | KO (punch) | Cornhusker Fight Club 2: Season's Beatings | December 17, 2010 | 1 | 1:09 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 9–7 | Jesse Forbes | TKO (punches) | Crowbar MMA: Fall Brawl | September 11, 2010 | 2 | 1:28 | Fargo, North Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 9–6 | Logan Clark | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Seconds Out / Vivid MMA: Havoc at the Hyatt 2 | June 19, 2010 | 2 | 2:22 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 8–6 | Lucas St. Claire | Submission (armbar) | Max Fights 10 | May 8, 2010 | 1 | 3:19 | East Grand Forks, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 7–6 | Mike George | KO (punch) | TriState Cage Fights: Island Warfare | April 17, 2010 | 1 | 0:22 | Grand Island, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 6–6 | James Brasco | TKO (doctor stoppage) | XKL Evolution 1 | March 20, 2010 | 1 | 1:21 | Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 5–6 | Jake Hecht | TKO (punches) | Victory FC 30: Night of Champions | February 5, 2010 | 3 | 4:35 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Loss | 5–5 | Mike Pitz | TKO (punches) | Fight Club Inc. | July 25, 2009 | 2 | 3:21 | Addison, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 5–4 | Chaun Sims | TKO (punches) | Fight To Win: Colorado vs. Nebraska | March 14, 2009 | 2 | 2:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Brian Monahan | Submission (armbar) | Victory FC 26: Onslaught | February 20, 2009 | 1 | N/A | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Rico Washington Sr. | TKO (punches) | Minnesota Combat Sports | January 9, 2009 | 1 | 0:54 | Maplewood, Minnesota, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Charley Lynch | TKO (punches) | Brutaal: Fight Night | November 6, 2008 | 1 | 3:12 | Maplewood, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Chuck Parmelee | Submission (choke) | Torment MMA | September 20, 2008 | 2 | 1:26 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Chuck Parmelee | TKO (punches) | TriState Cage Fights | June 14, 2008 | 2 | N/A | Yankton, South Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ricky Duvall | KO (punch) | Victory FC 23: Validation | May 9, 2008 | N/A | N/A | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jeremy Shepherd | Submission (choke) | Pugilistic Productions | March 22, 2008 | 2 | 2:13 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dave Moran | Submission (armbar) | Victory FC 22: Ascension | February 29, 2008 | 2 | 1:19 | Sioux City, Iowa, United States | |

## Pay-per-view bouts

| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
| 1. | UFC 235 | Jones vs. Smith | March 2, 2019 | T-Mobile Arena | Paradise, Nevada, United States | 650,000 |