Gamebred FC Books Anthony Smith for New Fight Despite Pending Domestic Violence Charges – Video
By Real Combat Media MMA Editorial Staff
Omaha, Nebraska, (September 3rd, 2026)–Gamebred FC has booked Anthony Smith for a marquee fight just five weeks after his arrest on felony charges that include prosecutors’ allegations he threatened to kill his wife and tried to hit her with a car — and the promotion is already having to defend that decision publicly. Smith fights Jordan Heiderman in the semifinal round of Gamebred’s heavyweight tournament on October 2nd in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, while the case against him is still active. The charges are allegations, and Smith has not been convicted of any offense, but booking him anyway has become its own story.
The Charges
Smith was arrested on July 27th and booked into the Sarpy County Jail on three felony charges: attempted first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. According to prosecutors, the incident began at a bar, where Smith allegedly threatened to kill his wife if she didn’t leave with him, then forced her into a car and tried to run her over once they got outside. He was released two days later on a $500,000 bond, with conditions that barred contact with his wife and restricted his travel. Smith has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, with a court date later this month. His wife has since spoken out in his defense, calling him “a good man, a great dad, and a wonderful husband who loves us endlessly.”
Gamebred Books Him Anyway
None of that stopped Gamebred FC, run by Jorge Masvidal and Lex McMahon, from confirming this week that Smith will headline its October 2nd card against Jordan Heiderman, streaming live on DAZN. A judge has already granted Smith permission to leave the country for the fight despite his bond restrictions. It will be his second appearance for Gamebred; he submitted Chase Sherman in the first round back in April. McMahon released a statement defending the decision: “Anthony is facing serious allegations, and like every person in this country, he is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence while his case moves through the courts. He has pleaded not guilty, and that process deserves to play out fully and fairly, without a promotion, a headline, or public opinion getting ahead of the facts.” The statement added that Smith “has a family to provide for, and competing is how he does that.”
Fans Aren’t Buying It
The reaction was immediate, and it wasn’t kind. Gamebred’s statement drew heavy pushback across social media, with fans and commentators arguing that due process is a legal standard for the courtroom, not a reason to hand someone a paycheck and a spotlight while he’s charged with trying to run his wife over with a car. The criticism isn’t really about whether Smith is guilty of the charges — it’s about whether a promotion should be making its own call on that before a jury ever does. Whether the backlash affects the card remains to be seen; as of this week, the fight is still on.
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