A former Ultimate Fighting Championship star is facing serious criminal charges after an incident in Gretna, Nebraska that prosecutors say involved threats, forced confinement, and an attempt to use a vehicle as a weapon against his wife.
Anthony Smith, 38, appeared before a judge Wednesday and was released on $500,000 bond after posting 10 percent of that amount. The Sarpy County Attorney's Office subsequently released details of the allegations against the former light heavyweight title contender, painting a disturbing picture of events that unfolded on July 26.
According to prosecutors, the incident began at a bar in Gretna when Smith allegedly became involved in an altercation and threatened to kill his wife, Mikhala, if she refused to leave the establishment with him. Officials say Smith then physically grabbed and pushed her into his vehicle.
During the drive to their residence, Mikhala managed to escape temporarily, prosecutors allege. However, Smith demanded she return to the car. Once the couple arrived at their home, she exited the vehicle again, at which point Smith allegedly attempted to strike her multiple times using the car itself.
Authorities confirmed that Mikhala Smith was not physically harmed during the incident.
An arrest warrant was issued the following day, and Smith surrendered to authorities hours after the warrant was issued. The former fighter spent nearly two full days in the Sarpy County jail before his Wednesday afternoon release.
As a condition of his release, Smith has been ordered to maintain complete distance from his wife, with no contact permitted under any circumstances.
The charges against Smith include three felony counts. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to 26 years in prison, according to prosecutors.
Smith, who competed at the highest levels of mixed martial arts and challenged for the UFC light heavyweight championship, has not issued any public statement regarding the allegations. The case marks a dramatic turn for an athlete who built his reputation in one of the sport's most competitive divisions.
The legal proceedings are expected to continue in Sarpy County court, where Smith will face the felony charges stemming from the July 26 incident.