UFC Fighter Anthony Smith Arrested for Domestic Assault
Anthony Smith, a former UFC fighter and current MMA analyst, is facing severe allegations after a domestic incident involving his wife, Mikhala Renee Newman. The Sarpy County Attorney’s Office released a statement detailing the alleged events that led to Smith’s arrest on Monday night.
The incident began with an altercation at a bar in Gretna, Nebraska. According to the attorney’s office, Smith threatened to kill his wife if she didn’t go home with him. Newman’s manager, Brian Butler-Au of SuckerPunch Entertainment, shared a statement from Newman on Friday night, in which she defended her husband, stating that he is a good man, a great dad, and an incredible husband who loves them endlessly.
However, investigators claim that Smith’s behavior escalated further. After grabbing and pushing his wife into a vehicle, Smith allegedly tried and failed to strike her with the car multiple times. Newman’s manager released a statement from Newman, stating that she is safe and has always been safe, and that her husband would never hurt her.
Smith turned himself in to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued. A judge granted him a $500,000 bond with the condition that he stay away from his wife. Smith is scheduled to appear in court again on August 17.
UFC president and CEO Dana White was surprised by Smith’s arrest. White clarified that he was not caught up on specific details regarding the incident and expressed his hope that it would ‘work out for him and his family and his kids.’
White’s comments come from his own personal experience with domestic violence. Three years ago, White found himself in the spotlight after footage of a physical altercation with his wife surfaced online. Although he was never formally punished for the incident, White has repeatedly denounced his actions in the years since.
As a prominent figure in the MMA world, Smith’s career has been marked by both highs and lows. He headlined eight UFC events, challenging Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title, and has fought professionally 61 times, suffering 13 knockout losses. However, Smith’s personal struggles have now put his professional life under scrutiny.
