Former UFC star Anthony Smith arrested for domestic violence and terroristic threats

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, told TMZ that Smith was arrested on charges of attempted first-degree domestic violence, terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment.

According to Reisz, the attempted first-degree domestic violence charge carries a possible prison sentence of 1 to 50 years, while 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. He added that 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 what led to the arrest, but the charges are considered serious.

Smith retired from the UFC following his loss to Mingyang Zhang in April 2025 after enjoying a long career as one of the promotion’s top middleweight and light heavyweight fighters. He challenged Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title in 2019 but lost the bout.

Despite announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts, Smith returned to competition earlier this year, fighting under Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion, where he won by first-round stoppage. At the time of the report, Smith had not yet appeared before a judge, and his bond had not been set.