Ex-UFC title challenger Anthony Smith is facing shocking criminal allegations after an incident involving his wife, landing him three felony charges including attempted first-degree domestic assault. He was arrested Monday night in Sarpy County, Nebraska.
The Unbelievable Charges Facing Anthony Smith
The Sarpy County Attorney’s Office laid out the alleged events, and they are serious. Investigators claim the incident started with an altercation at a bar in Gretna, Nebraska. Smith allegedly threatened to kill his wife if she didn’t go home, then grabbed and pushed her into a vehicle. After she escaped, Smith then tried to strike her with the car multiple times. We’re talking terroristic threats and false imprisonment alongside that attempted first-degree domestic assault charge. Smith turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued, and a judge set his bond at $500,000 with a no-contact order for his wife. He’s due back in court on August 17.
Dana White’s Shock and Personal Experience
UFC President Dana White spoke about Smith’s arrest from Belgrade, Serbia, where he was for a UFC Fight Night. White admitted he was surprised, saying, “Well, he’s one of those guys, too, that you don’t expect to see that happen. But personal experience it can happen to anybody. So, I don’t know enough about it; I don’t know enough of the details. I’ve been on the road this whole time. But I just hope it works out for him and his family and his kids.” That “personal experience” line hits different, right? It’s a direct callback to White’s own incident three years ago. He and his wife struck each other on New Year’s Eve in Cabo San Lucas, and footage blew up online. White was never formally punished, but he’s repeatedly denounced his actions since.
His Wife’s Defense: A “Mental Health Struggle”
Adding another layer to this, Smith’s manager, Brian Butler-Au, shared a statement credited to Smith’s wife, Mikhala Renee Newman. She took to Instagram to defend her husband, saying, “There’s not a lot I can say right now. I love Anthony with every ounce of my being. He is a good man, a great dad, and an incredible husband who loves us endlessly. Anyone that knows him can attest to that. They made a mental health struggle into something it wasn’t. I am safe and always was safe. He would never hurt me. Ever. I called for help to protect him from himself.”
The next step in this deeply troubling situation is Smith’s court date on August 17. With a $500,000 bond and the very serious allegations he’s facing, everyone will be watching to see how the legal process unfolds for the former UFC title challenger.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply