Colton Smith

Colton Smith
Born	Colton Thomas Smith (1987-08-14) August 14, 1987 (age 36) Ankeny, Iowa, U.S. [1]
Residence	Stafford, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division	Lightweight Welterweight
Reach	71 in (180 cm)
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Matt Larsen
Years active	2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	12
Wins	7
By knockout	1
By submission	2
By decision	4
Losses	5
By knockout	2
By submission	2
By decision	1
Amateur record
Total	6
Wins	5
By knockout	2
By submission	3
Losses	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Military career
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant first class [2]
Unit	3d Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	Iraq War Afghan War

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] Smith is also an Avid supporter of the Asian community and their fight against racism. He takes pleasure in using his platform to bring awareness to these types of issues and show the world that only love should be expressed toward the Asian community.

Accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Ultimate Fighter 16 Winner
  • The Ultimate Fighter 16 Fight of the Season ^[28]

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

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	4–0	Jon Manley	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson		3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Semi-Final round
Win	3–0	Igor Araujo	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson		2	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Quarter-Final round
Win	2–0	Eddy Ellis	Decision (Majority)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson		2	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Preliminary round
Win	1–0	Jesse Barrett	Decision (unanimous)	The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson		2	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Elimination round

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

1. Cerdenio, Jere R. (April 4, 2014). "95th MP Bn builds resiliency with combatives tournament". United States Army .
2. "ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT TRAINING FOR THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER". Soldiers. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
3. MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2012
4. "It's Time with Bruce Buffer". Interview with Colton Smith by Bruce Buffer and TJ DeSantis.
5. Evans, Kevin (February 24, 2005). "Chase starts early". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier .
6. "Prep wrestling: Mohawks, Bulldogs split title at Ankeny". Mason City Globe Gazette . January 18, 2004.
7. Holm, Dan (December 14, 2012). "Ankeny native one victory from being 'The Ultimate Fighter'". Asheville Citizen-Times .
8. Tan, Michelle (October 1, 2012). "Soldier wins spot on 'The Ultimate Fighter'".
9. Healy, John (November 6, 2013). "Fort Hood combatives instructor competes in 'Fight for the Troops 3'". Forth Hood Herald .
10. Vinyard, Erica (March 25, 2010). "Soldiers test for EIB". Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
11. Ierardi, Anthony (February 14, 2013). "Combatives: Rail Gunners defend title; combatives cultivates Warrior Ethos". Fort Hood Sentinel .
12. Lilley, Kevin; Tan, Michelle (July 29, 2014). "UFC releases Colton Smith after third-straight loss". Army Times .
13. Lombardo, Tony; Lilley, Kevin (July 2, 2014). "Staff Sgt. Colton Smith talks UFC loss, future career". Army Times .
14. Cernero, Daniel (July 12, 2012). "Soldier MMA pro trains with III Corps team". Fort Hood Sentinel .
15. "TUF 16 Finale results: Colton Smith dominates Mike Ricci to win 'TUF 16'". mmajunkie.com. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
16. "'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.
17. "UFC 160 results/photos: Robert Whittaker stops Colton Smith in 'TUF' battle". mmajunkie.com. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
18. 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.
19. "UFC Fight Night 31 results, photos: Michael Chiesa survives to tap Colton Smith". mmajunkie.com. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
20. Staff (2014-03-21). "Colton Smith vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira slated for UFC Fight Night in San Antonio". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
21. "UFC Fight Night 44 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira taps Colton Smith in 38 seconds". mmajunkie.com. 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
22. "Report: TUF 16 winner Colton Smith among five fighters released from UFC". bloodyelbow.com. 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
23. "Back on track: Colton Smith wins in return to MMA cage". armytimes.com. 2015-03-02.
24. "Colton Smith vs. Marcus Andrusia, Rocks Xtreme MMA 14 | MMA Bout".
25. "The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith signs with WSOF". mmajunkie.com. 2015-08-20.
26. "2013 AGF Southern Regionals - Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Colton Smith". YouTube.com. July 22, 2013.
27. Chuck Mindenhall (April 8, 2020). "One-hit wonders: Whatever became of 'TUF 16' winner Colton Smith?". theathletic.com.
28. "Ricci, Smith, Ellis, Manley win $25,000 'TUF 16' season bonuses". MMAjunkie.com. 2012-12-16. Retrieved 2013-11-05.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Colton Smith from Sherdog
• Colton Smith at UFC