Anthony Smith Released on $500K Bond as Prosecutors Detail Alleged Incident With Wife
By Real Combat Media MMA Editorial Staff
Papillion, Nebraska, (July 29th, 2026)–Anthony Smith appeared before a Sarpy County judge Wednesday morning, two days after his arrest on three felony charges, and was released after posting $500,000 bond. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger waived his preliminary hearing, sending his case directly to district court, where he is next scheduled to appear on August 17.
How the Arrest Happened
A warrant for Smith’s arrest was issued Monday, and he turned himself in to authorities Tuesday night rather than being taken into custody during the incident itself. He was booked into Sarpy County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. As a condition of his release, Smith was ordered to have no contact with his wife and is barred from leaving Nebraska without a judge’s permission.
What Prosecutors Allege
The Sarpy County Attorney’s Office released a statement Wednesday afternoon laying out its version of events for the first time. According to the statement, the incident began on July 26 during an altercation between Smith and his wife at a bar in Gretna, during which he reportedly threatened to kill her if she did not get into his vehicle and go home with him. Prosecutors say he grabbed her and pushed her into the car. She was able to get out at one point during the drive, but he allegedly made further threats and forced her back in.
After the two arrived home, the statement says she got out of the vehicle again, and Smith reportedly attempted to strike her multiple times with the car; she was able to move out of the way and was not struck. Prosecutors say nearby witnesses helped her and her children leave the house after Smith went back inside, and that witnesses reported hearing gunshots from inside the home along with threats from Smith that he would harm himself if officers entered. Smith was not injured and was arrested without further incident the following night.
The original arrest affidavit, which contains additional detail, remains sealed at the request of prosecutors, who cited the alleged victim’s privacy and the ongoing nature of the investigation. The county attorney’s office said it does not intend to comment further while the case is pending, adding only that Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Background
Smith, 38, spent 17 years as a professional fighter, highlighted by a UFC light heavyweight title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 235 in 2019. He retired following a 2025 loss to Zhang Mingyang before returning to competition in April with a first-round submission win over Chase Sherman at Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, and has continued working as a UFC broadcast analyst for Paramount+ throughout. Neither Smith nor the UFC has issued a public statement on the charges.
Former UFC fighter Anthony Smith is accused of threatening to kill his wife, forcing her into a vehicle, and trying to run her over multiple times
Witnesses say they heard gunshots coming from his home pic.twitter.com/hCEYm1EQsZ
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 29, 2026
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