Colton Smith (fighter)

Early life

Smith started wrestling at an early age. During high school, Smith wrestled for Ankeny High School at 145 pounds. Smith graduated high school in 2005 and enlisted in the Army.

Army career

Smith, a Combat infantry soldier, earned airborne, ranger, and sapper tabs and has served tours in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Afghanistan. While assigned to Echo Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), Smith earned his Expert Infantryman Badge. Smith currently serves as the chief Combatives Instructor at III Corps and Fort Hood. Smith has since been selected for promotion to Sergeant First Class and expects to refocus on Army training. 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.

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.

''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. 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.

Smith faced Robert Whittaker on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160. He lost the fight by TKO in the third round.

Smith next faced Michael Chiesa in a lightweight bout on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31. He was defeated via rear naked choke in the second round.

Smith faced promotional newcomer Carlos Diego Ferreira on June 28, 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens. He lost the fight via a modified rear-naked choke submission, and was released from the promotion shortly after.

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.

World Series of Fighting

On August 20, 2015 it was announced that Smith signed with the World Series of Fighting. 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. Ferreira won the match by points.

Personal life

Smith has three children. He runs his own MMA gym, Enlisted Nine Fight Company, in Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Virginia and fledging lifestyle brand Enlisted Nine Fight Company partnered with Veteran Clothing giant, NineLine Apparel.

Accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Ultimate Fighter 16 Winner
  • The Ultimate Fighter 16 Fight of the Season

Mixed martial arts record

| ko-wins= 2 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-wins= 1 | sub-losses= 2 | dec-wins= 4 | dec-losses= 1 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

| | Hollywood, Florida, United States

| | Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win | Washington Da Silva | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 24 | | Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | |- | Win | Marcus Andrusla | TKO (punches) | Rocks Xtreme MMA 14 | | Harker Heights, Texas, United States

| | Harker Heights, Texas, United States

| | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |- | Loss | Michael Chiesa | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 | | Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States

| | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | Mike Ricci | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale | | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | |- | Win | Walter Coles | TKO (submission to punches) | Demolition Combat | | Winchester, Virginia, United States | |- | Win | Brian Nielson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | M-1 Challenge 24: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa | | Norfolk, Virginia, United States |

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

| ko-wins= | ko-losses= | sub-wins= | sub-losses= | dec-wins= 4 | dec-losses= | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

| | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Elimination round

Amateur mixed martial arts record

|ko-wins=2 |ko-losses=0 |sub-wins=3 |sub-losses=0 |dec-wins=0 |dec-losses=1 |Win |Gary Wilkins |TKO (punches) |Barbarian Fight Club - 2011 Matinee | |Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States | |- |Loss |Chad Malone |Decision (split) |Operation Octagon 11 | |Sterling, Virginia, United States | |- |Win |William Bookwalter |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Operation Octagon 9 | |Sterling, Virginia, United States | |- |Win |Jarreau Mobley |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Operation Octagon 8 | |Manassas, Virginia, United States | |- |Win |Cody Toy |Submission (anaconda choke) |Operation Octagon 5 | |Manassas, Virginia, United States | |- |Win |Rob Wine |TKO (punches) |Gladiator Fight Club 2 - Call to Glory | |Winchester, Virginia, United States | |}

References

References

1. Cerdenio, Jere R.. (April 4, 2014). "95th MP Bn builds resiliency with combatives tournament".
2. Evans, Kevin. (February 24, 2005). "Chase starts early". [[The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier]].
3. (January 18, 2004). "Prep wrestling: Mohawks, Bulldogs split title at Ankeny". [[Globe Gazette.
4. Holm, Dan. (December 14, 2012). "Ankeny native one victory from being 'The Ultimate Fighter'". [[Asheville Citizen-Times]].
5. Tan, Michelle. (October 1, 2012). "Soldier wins spot on 'The Ultimate Fighter'". [[Army Times]].
6. Healy, John. (November 6, 2013). "Fort Hood combatives instructor competes in 'Fight for the Troops 3'". [[Forth Hood Herald]].
7. Vinyard, Erica. (March 25, 2010). "Soldiers test for EIB".
8. Ierardi, Anthony. (February 14, 2013). "Combatives: Rail Gunners defend title; combatives cultivates Warrior Ethos". [[Fort Hood Sentinel]].
9. (July 29, 2014). "UFC releases Colton Smith after third-straight loss". [[Army Times]].
10. Lange, Katie. (2018-03-20). "From the Pentagon to the cage: Army Ranger continues MMA run".
11. (July 2, 2014). "Staff Sgt. Colton Smith talks UFC loss, future career". [[Army Times]].
12. Cernero, Daniel. (July 12, 2012). "Soldier MMA pro trains with III Corps team". [[Fort Hood Sentinel]].
13. (2012-12-16). "TUF 16 Finale results: Colton Smith dominates Mike Ricci to win 'TUF 16'". mmajunkie.com.
14. "'TUF' champs Robert Whittaker and Colton Smith join UFC 160 lineup". MMAJunkie.com.
15. (2013-05-26). "UFC 160 results/photos: Robert Whittaker stops Colton Smith in 'TUF' battle". mmajunkie.com.
16. John Petit. (2013-08-23). "Michael Chiesa Vs Colton Smith Confirmed For Fight For The Troops". fighters.com.
17. (2013-11-07). "UFC Fight Night 31 results, photos: Michael Chiesa survives to tap Colton Smith". mmajunkie.com.
18. Staff. (2014-03-21). "Colton Smith vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira slated for UFC Fight Night in San Antonio". mmajunkie.com.
19. (2014-06-28). "UFC Fight Night 44 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira taps Colton Smith in 38 seconds". mmajunkie.com.
20. (2014-07-28). "Report: TUF 16 winner Colton Smith among five fighters released from UFC". bloodyelbow.com.
21. (2015-03-02). "Back on track: Colton Smith wins in return to MMA cage". armytimes.com.
22. "Colton Smith vs. Marcus Andrusia, Rocks Xtreme MMA 14 | MMA Bout".
23. (2015-08-20). "The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith signs with WSOF". mmajunkie.com.
24. (July 22, 2013). "2013 AGF Southern Regionals - Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Colton Smith". YouTube.com.
25. Chuck Mindenhall. (April 8, 2020). "One-hit wonders: Whatever became of 'TUF 16' winner Colton Smith?". theathletic.com.
26. (2012-12-16). "Ricci, Smith, Ellis, Manley win $25,000 'TUF 16' season bonuses". MMAjunkie.com.