MMA Fighter Anthony Smith Pleads Not Guilty to Four Felony Charges

In a Sarpy County courtroom, MMA competitor Anthony Smith pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming from a July 27 bar dispute in Gretna, Nebraska. Prosecutors allege he threatened his wife with death, forcibly placed her in a vehicle, and attempted multiple times to strike her with the car, though she escaped unharmed. After a warrant was issued, Smith turned himself in and was released on $45,000 bail.

He has been granted permission to leave the country to compete in a late-September/early-October event in the Dominican Republic, likely with Gamebred MMA. A status hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21, and his wife, Mikhala Smith, issued a statement defending him. Court video also captured references to gunshots at the home and a possible suicide threat.