American mixed martial arts fighter
Colton Thomas Smith (born August 14, 1987)[ 3] is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship . Smith is best known for competing on, and winning The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson .
His dominant wrestling style allowed him to defeat all five fighters he faced in the tournament by decision. He is currently an active member of the U.S. Army.[ 4]
Early life
Smith started wrestling at an early age. During high school, Smith wrestled for Ankeny High School at 145 pounds.[ 5] [ 6] Smith graduated high school in 2005.[ 7]
Army career
Smith, a Combat infantry soldier, earned airborne, ranger , and sapper tabs and has served tours in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Afghanistan.[ 8] [ 9] While assigned to Echo Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), Smith earned his Expert Infantryman Badge .[ 10] Smith currently serves as the chief Combatives Instructor at III Corps and Fort Hood.[ 11] Smith has since been selected for promotion to Sergeant First Class and expects to refocus on Army training.[ 12] The Army Times admitted, after criticizing Smith's recent MMA performances, that they received backlash from their vocal readership indicating Smith's popularity among fellow servicemembers.[ 13]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Smith started his career with a 2–1 record, including a win in M-1 Challenge. Smith trained Brazilian Jiujitsu under Relson Gracie earning his purple belt and developed his MMA skill under Lloyd Irvin and Vanguard Gym in Manassas, Virginia .[ 14]
The Ultimate Fighter
Smith was selected as a cast member for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson . He had to receive special permission in order to participate in the reality series during active duty.[ 4] In the elimination fight in order to get into the house, Smith defeated Jesse Barrett by unanimous decision. Smith was the subject of controversy for putting his hand out to touch gloves, but faking and immediately shooting for a take down.
In his first fight inside the house, Smith won a majority decision over Eddie Ellis.
In the quarterfinal round Smith won another decision over Igor Araujo to advance to the semifinal round.
In the semifinals, Smith advanced to the finals with a unanimous decision win over Jon Manley.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Smith made his official UFC debut on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale against Mike Ricci . Smith won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Ultimate Fighter 16 winner.[ 15]
Smith faced Robert Whittaker on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160 .[ 16] He lost the fight by TKO in the third round.[ 17]
Smith next faced Michael Chiesa in a lightweight bout on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31 .[ 18] He was defeated via rear naked choke in the second round.[ 19]
Smith faced promotional newcomer Carlos Diego Ferreira on June 28, 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens .[ 20] He lost the fight via a modified rear-naked choke submission, and was released from the promotion shortly after.[ 21] [ 22]
Post-UFC
Eight months after his last UFC fight, Smith returned to compete on the local circuit where he picked up two victories in the Rocks Xtreme MMA promotion.[ 23] [ 24]
World Series of Fighting
On August 20, 2015 it was announced that Smith signed with the World Series of Fighting .[ 25] He made his eventual debut on October 17, 2015 at WSOF 24 against Washington Da Silva. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Grappling
On July 22, 2013, Colton Smith competed in a no gi super fight against Carlos Diego Ferreira at the American Grappling Federation 's Southern Regionals.[ 26] Ferreira won the match by points.
Personal life
Smith has three children. He runs his own MMA gym, Enlisted Nine Fight Company, in Stafford County, Virginia and fledging lifestyle brand Enlisted Nine Fight Company partnered with Veteran Clothing giant, NineLine Apparel.[ 27]
Accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
12 matches
7 wins
5 losses
By knockout
2
2
By submission
1
2
By decision
4
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
7–5
Sean Brady
Decision (unanimous)
Shogun Fights: Florida
March 17, 2018
3
5:00
Hollywood, Florida , United States
For the Shogun Fights Welterweight Championship.
Win
7–4
Joseph Valadez
Decision (unanimous)
OCFN: Honoring America's Warriors
April 30, 2016
3
5:00
Weatherford, Oklahoma , United States
Win
6–4
Washington Da Silva
Decision (unanimous)
WSOF 24
October 17, 2015
3
5:00
Mashantucket, Connecticut , United States
Win
5–4
Marcus Andrusla
TKO (punches)
Rocks Xtreme MMA 14
May 16, 2015
1
2:35
Harker Heights, Texas , United States
Return to Welterweight.
Win
4–4
Evan Cutts
Decision (unanimous)
Rocks Xtreme MMA 12
February 28, 2015
3
5:00
Harker Heights, Texas , United States
Catchweight (165 lbs) bout.
Loss
3–4
Carlos Diego Ferreira
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
June 28, 2014
1
0:38
San Antonio, Texas , United States
Loss
3–3
Michael Chiesa
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC: Fight for the Troops 3
November 6, 2013
2
1:41
Fort Campbell , Kentucky , United States
Lightweight debut.
Loss
3–2
Robert Whittaker
TKO (punches)
UFC 160
May 25, 2013
3
0:41
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
3–1
Mike Ricci
Decision (unanimous)
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale
December 15, 2012
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Won The Ultimate Fighter 16 Welterweight Tournament.
Loss
2–1
Steve Montgomery
KO (punch)
Championship Fighting Alliance 5
February 24, 2012
2
0:08
Coral Gables, Florida , United States
Win
2–0
Walter Coles
TKO (submission to punches)
Demolition Combat
October 29, 2011
1
1:52
Winchester, Virginia , United States
Win
1–0
Brian Nielson
Submission (rear-naked choke)
M-1 Challenge 24: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa
March 25, 2011
1
4:19
Norfolk, Virginia , United States
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Exhibition record breakdown
4 matches
4 wins
0 losses
By decision
4
0
Amateur mixed martial arts record
Amateur record breakdown
6 matches
5 wins
1 loss
By knockout
2
0
By submission
3
0
By decision
0
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
5–1
Gary Wilkins
TKO (punches)
Barbarian Fight Club - 2011 Matinee
January 15, 2011
1
1:57
Fredericksburg, Virginia , United States
Loss
4–1
Chad Malone
Decision (split)
Operation Octagon 11
June 26, 2010
3
5:00
Sterling, Virginia , United States
Win
4–0
William Bookwalter
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Operation Octagon 9
November 7, 2009
1
4:29
Sterling, Virginia , United States
Win
3–0
Jarreau Mobley
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Operation Octagon 8
August 15, 2009
1
1:33
Manassas, Virginia , United States
Win
2–0
Cody Toy
Submission (anaconda choke)
Operation Octagon 5
December 6, 2008
1
2:42
Manassas, Virginia , United States
Win
1–0
Rob Wine
TKO (punches)
Gladiator Fight Club 2 - Call to Glory
January 12, 2008
1
0:52
Winchester, Virginia , United States
References
^ Cerdenio, Jere R. (April 4, 2014). "95th MP Bn builds resiliency with combatives tournament" . United States Army .
^ "ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT TRAINING FOR THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER" . Soldiers . 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2014 .
^ MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2012
^ a b "It's Time with Bruce Buffer" . Interview with Colton Smith by Bruce Buffer and TJ DeSantis .
^ Evans, Kevin (February 24, 2005). "Chase starts early" . The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier .
^ "Prep wrestling: Mohawks, Bulldogs split title at Ankeny" . Mason City Globe Gazette . January 18, 2004.
^ Holm, Dan (December 14, 2012). "Ankeny native one victory from being 'The Ultimate Fighter' " . Asheville Citizen-Times .
^ Tan, Michelle (October 1, 2012). "Soldier wins spot on 'The Ultimate Fighter' " .
^ Healy, John (November 6, 2013). "Fort Hood combatives instructor competes in 'Fight for the Troops 3' " . Forth Hood Herald .
^ Vinyard, Erica (March 25, 2010). "Soldiers test for EIB" . Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014 .
^ Ierardi, Anthony (February 14, 2013). "Combatives: Rail Gunners defend title; combatives cultivates Warrior Ethos" . Fort Hood Sentinel .
^ Lilley, Kevin; Tan, Michelle (July 29, 2014). "UFC releases Colton Smith after third-straight loss" . Army Times .
^ Lombardo, Tony; Lilley, Kevin (July 2, 2014). "Staff Sgt. Colton Smith talks UFC loss, future career" . Army Times .
^ Cernero, Daniel (July 12, 2012). "Soldier MMA pro trains with III Corps team" . Fort Hood Sentinel .
^ "TUF 16 Finale results: Colton Smith dominates Mike Ricci to win 'TUF 16' " . mmajunkie.com. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2020-06-22 .
^ " 'TUF' champs Robert Whittaker and Colton Smith join UFC 160 lineup" . MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013 .
^ "UFC 160 results/photos: Robert Whittaker stops Colton Smith in 'TUF' battle" . mmajunkie.com. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2020-06-22 .
^ John Petit (2013-08-23). "Michael Chiesa Vs Colton Smith Confirmed For Fight For The Troops" . fighters.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-08-23 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 31 results, photos: Michael Chiesa survives to tap Colton Smith" . mmajunkie.com. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2020-06-22 .
^ Staff (2014-03-21). "Colton Smith vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira slated for UFC Fight Night in San Antonio" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-21 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 44 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira taps Colton Smith in 38 seconds" . mmajunkie.com. 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2020-06-22 .
^ "Report: TUF 16 winner Colton Smith among five fighters released from UFC" . bloodyelbow.com. 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2014-07-28 .
^ "Back on track: Colton Smith wins in return to MMA cage" . armytimes.com. 2015-03-02.
^ "Colton Smith vs. Marcus Andrusia, Rocks Xtreme MMA 14 | MMA Bout" .
^ "The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith signs with WSOF" . mmajunkie.com. 2015-08-20.
^ "2013 AGF Southern Regionals - Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Colton Smith" . YouTube.com. July 22, 2013.
^ Chuck Mindenhall (April 8, 2020). "One-hit wonders: Whatever became of 'TUF 16' winner Colton Smith?" . theathletic.com.
^ "Ricci, Smith, Ellis, Manley win $25,000 'TUF 16' season bonuses" . MMAjunkie.com. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2013-11-05 .
External links