By Scott B, Editor
A Nebraska judge agreed last week to let domestic-violence suspect Anthony Smith leave the country for a fight—but rejected Smith’s request to contact his wife.
Smith, a UFC veteran and broadcast analyst, faces four felony charges following an alleged domestic-violence incident in late July. As a condition of his $500,000 bond, he is prohibited from leaving Nebraska or contacting his wife without prior written permission.
The 38-year-old sought permission last week. Arguing that he had been unable to work as a UFC commentator since his arrest and that fighting was his family’s “primary source of income at present,” Smith asked the court to let him travel to the Dominican Republic for an October 2 bout. The judge granted the request several days later but simultaneously denied, without explanation, Smith’s bid to contact his wife, Mikhala Smith.
Smith was scheduled to work as a desk analyst at UFC Belgrade on August 1 but missed the assignment due to his arrest five days earlier. His media résumé includes hosting Lionheart Live on a Nebraska sports-talk station; a weekly podcast called On Paper with Anthony Smith; and, from 2022 to late 2024, co-hosting Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast.
While Smith’s motion does not identify the October fight’s promoter, the evidence strongly points to Gamebred Fighting Championship, the bare-knuckle MMA promotion founded by UFC veteran and Deep Waters panelist Jorge Masvidal.
“Defendant’s primary source of income at this time—and the means by which he provides for his family—is in his capacity as a professional mixed martial arts athlete.”
Anthony Smith’s motion to modify bond conditions
mith’s only fight since departing the UFC took place on April 10 under Gamebred’s banner: a 16-man heavyweight Grand Prix held in the Dominican Republic. The Nebraska City native submitted fellow UFC veteran Chase Sherman and said afterward that he intended to return for the quarterfinals.
Neither Gamebred nor co-promoter Fighting Force has confirmed the date or location of the tournament’s second round. However, two other quarterfinalists recently announced on social media that their next Grand Prix bouts are set for October 2 in the Dominican Republic.
Kneebar News sent requests for comment to Masvidal, Gamebred Fighting Championship, First Round Management, and the Dominican Republic’s MMA commission on August 19.
The Grand Prix’s opening round was held at Santo Domingo’s Ovalo Feria Ganadera, a 5,000-seat outdoor arena that typically hosts rodeos, agricultural fairs, bullfights, and concerts. According to a ticket advertisement for the April 10 event, prices ranged from roughly $17 for general seating to $340 for a cageside table.
The tournament advertises a $500,000 prize pool—the same amount as Smith’s bond.
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