Anthony Smith arrest: prosecutors say ex-UFC star threatened wife
Nebraska prosecutors allege Anthony Smith threatened his wife, forced her into a car and tried to hit her with it after a bar argument.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
The Anthony Smith arrest in Nebraska now includes grim allegations from prosecutors: the former UFC fighter is accused of threatening to kill his wife, forcing her into a vehicle and later trying to strike her with that same car.
The Sarpy County Attorney’s Office detailed the claims after Smith, 38, appeared before a judge. According to prosecutors, the alleged incident began July 26 at a bar in Gretna, Nebraska, following an argument involving Smith and his wife, Mikhala.
Prosecutors allege Smith threatened to kill Mikhala if she did not leave the bar and go home with him. They also claim he grabbed her and pushed her into his car.
What is Anthony Smith accused of?
According to the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office, Mikhala got out of the vehicle at one point during the drive home, but Smith allegedly demanded that she return. Prosecutors say that when they reached their house and she exited again, Smith allegedly tried several times to hit her with the vehicle.
Mikhala was not physically injured, according to officials cited in the report.
An arrest warrant was issued the following day, and Smith turned himself in hours later. He spent almost two days in the Sarpy County jail before being released Wednesday afternoon.
Smith’s bond was set at $500,000, with TMZ reporting he was required to post 10 percent. A bond is a court-set financial guarantee tied to release before trial, and Dayline has a guide to how bail works after an arrest.
As part of his release conditions, Smith was ordered to have no contact with his wife. The order bars him from contacting her at all, according to the report.
Smith is facing three felony counts, which prosecutors say could carry a prison sentence of up to 26 years if he is convicted. The specific allegations remain unproven unless established in court.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations.
Known by the nickname “Lionheart,” Smith is a former UFC light heavyweight title contender. His case now moves from a brief jail stay into the court process, where prosecutors will have to prove the felony allegations against him.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.