Smith's Felony Arrest
Former UFC Star Anthony Smith Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges in Nebraska
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Key Points
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Smith’s UFC résumé includes notable victories over former champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua, as well as wins against Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir, underscoring his long run as a top-tier light heavyweight contender.
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Earlier this year, Smith returned to competition in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, scoring a first‑round submission of Chase Sherman as part of a $500,000 heavyweight tournament.
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Nebraska charges carry specific maximum penalties by class: domestic violence causing serious bodily injury is a Class 2A felony with up to 20 years, while terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment are Class 3A felonies with up to 3 years’ imprisonment plus 18 months post-release and fines up to $10,000.
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The arrest in Sarpy County, Nebraska occurred at 8:44 p.m. local time; Smith remains in custody with no bond set, and the incident happened the day after his 38th birthday, per MMA Junkie reporting.
Former UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith was arrested Monday evening at 8:44 p.m. in Sarpy County, Nebraska, on three felony charges: terroristic threats, first-degree false imprisonment, and domestic violence causing serious bodily injury, according to MMA Junkie. Smith, who turned 38 the day before his arrest, remains in custody with no bond set.
Authorities have not released details about what led to the arrest. The domestic violence charge alone carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, according to Lowkick MMA.
Three Felony Charges and What They Carry
Nebraska law sets specific penalties for each charge Smith faces. The domestic violence charge — causing serious bodily injury — is a Class 2A felony, Archynetys reports. That carries up to 20 years in prison. The terroristic threats and first-degree false imprisonment charges are each Class 3A felonies. Each carries up to 3 years in prison, 18 months of post-release supervision, and fines up to $10,000.
No bond has been set. Smith is being held at the Sarpy County Jail. No court date has been publicly announced. Authorities have released no further details about the incident, according to BJ Penn.
Smith's Career: From Title Shot to Bareknuckle Ring
Smith built one of the longest careers in UFC light heavyweight history. He beat former champions Rashad Evans and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua. He also defeated Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir. In 2019, he challenged Jon Jones for the UFC title. He retired from the UFC in 2025 and moved into a role as a UFC analyst, per Lowkick MMA.
Earlier in 2025, Smith returned to fighting in a different format. He competed in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, winning a first-round submission against Chase Sherman. The fight was part of a $500,000 heavyweight tournament, according to Newsy Today.
Arrest Comes One Day After Smith's 38th Birthday
The timing added a grim detail to the story. Smith turned 38 on Sunday. He was arrested the very next evening, Head Topics reported. The arrest took place in Nebraska, which is Smith's home state. Sarpy County sits just south of Omaha.
The charges were first reported by TMZ Sports and quickly spread across MMA news outlets, according to Lowkick MMA. No statement has been released by Smith, his representatives, or the UFC. The case has no publicly disclosed updates since the initial booking.
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