Colton Smith Explained

Colton Smith
Birth Name:Colton Thomas Smith
Birth Date:14 August 1987
Birth Place:Ankeny, Iowa, U.S.[1]
Residence:Stafford, Virginia, U.S.
Weight:170lb
Weight Class:Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach In:71
Rank: Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Matt Larsen
Years Active:2011–present
Mma Kowin:1
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:1
Am Win:5
Am Kowin:2
Am Subwin:3
Am Loss:1
Sherdog:63163
Module:
Embed:yes
Branch: United States Army
Rank:Sergeant first class[2]
Unit:3d Cavalry Regiment
Battles: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 .

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 . 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 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 .[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

Mixed martial arts record

|-| Loss| align=center| 7–5| Sean Brady| Decision (unanimous)| Shogun Fights: Florida| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Hollywood, Florida, United States||-| Win| align=center| 7–4| Joseph Valadez| Decision (unanimous)| OCFN: Honoring America's Warriors| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–4| Washington Da Silva| Decision (unanimous)| WSOF 24| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States| |-| Win | align=center| 5–4| Marcus Andrusla| TKO (punches) | Rocks Xtreme MMA 14| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:35| Harker Heights, Texas, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 4–4| Evan Cutts| Decision (unanimous)| Rocks Xtreme MMA 12| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Harker Heights, Texas, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 3–4| Carlos Diego Ferreira| Submission (rear-naked choke)| | | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:38| San Antonio, Texas, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 3–3| Michael Chiesa| Submission (rear-naked choke)| | | align=center| 2| align=center| 1:41| Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 3–2| Robert Whittaker| TKO (punches)| UFC 160| | align=center| 3| align=center| 0:41| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 3–1| Mike Ricci| Decision (unanimous)| The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 2–1| Steve Montgomery| KO (punch)| Championship Fighting Alliance 5| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:08| Coral Gables, Florida, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Walter Coles| TKO (submission to punches)| Demolition Combat | | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:52| Winchester, Virginia, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Brian Nielson| Submission (rear-naked choke)| M-1 Challenge 24: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:19| Norfolk, Virginia, United States|

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Jon Manley| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Igor Araujo| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Eddy Ellis| Decision (Majority) | | | align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Jesse Barrett | Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|

Amateur mixed martial arts record

|Win|align=center| 5–1|Gary Wilkins|TKO (punches)|Barbarian Fight Club - 2011 Matinee||align=center|1|align=center|1:57|Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States||-|Loss|align=center| 4–1|Chad Malone|Decision (split)|Operation Octagon 11||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sterling, Virginia, United States||-|Win|align=center| 4–0|William Bookwalter|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Operation Octagon 9||align=center|1|align=center|4:29|Sterling, Virginia, United States||-|Win|align=center| 3–0|Jarreau Mobley|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Operation Octagon 8||align=center|1|align=center|1:33|Manassas, Virginia, United States||-|Win|align=center| 2–0|Cody Toy|Submission (anaconda choke)|Operation Octagon 5||align=center|1|align=center|2:42|Manassas, Virginia, United States||-|Win|align=center| 1–0|Rob Wine|TKO (punches)|Gladiator Fight Club 2 - Call to Glory||align=center|1|align=center|0:52|Winchester, Virginia, United States||}

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 95th MP Bn builds resiliency with combatives tournament. April 4, 2014. Jere R.. Cerdenio. United States Army.
  2. ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT TRAINING FOR THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER. 8 March 2013. Soldiers. 20 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160126170501/http://soldiers.dodlive.mil/tag/staff-sgt-colton-smith/. 26 January 2016. dead.
  3. http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/MMA/2012/12-15-12MMA.pdf MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2012
  4. Web site: It's Time with Bruce Buffer. Interview with Colton Smith by Bruce Buffer and TJ DeSantis.
  5. News: Chase starts early. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. February 24, 2005. Kevin. Evans.
  6. News: Prep wrestling: Mohawks, Bulldogs split title at Ankeny. Mason City Globe Gazette. January 18, 2004.
  7. News: Ankeny native one victory from being 'The Ultimate Fighter'. Asheville Citizen-Times. December 14, 2012. Dan. Holm.
  8. News: Soldier wins spot on 'The Ultimate Fighter'. Michelle. Tan. October 1, 2012.
  9. News: Fort Hood combatives instructor competes in 'Fight for the Troops 3'. Forth Hood Herald. November 6, 2013. John. Healy.
  10. Web site: Soldiers test for EIB. March 25, 2010. Erica. Vinyard. September 20, 2014. https://archive.today/20140920070720/http://ww2.dcmilitary.com/stories/032510/pentagram_28322.shtml. September 20, 2014. dead.
  11. News: Combatives: Rail Gunners defend title; combatives cultivates Warrior Ethos. Anthony. Ierardi. February 14, 2013. Fort Hood Sentinel.
  12. News: UFC releases Colton Smith after third-straight loss. Army Times. July 29, 2014. Kevin. Lilley. Michelle. Tan.
  13. News: Staff Sgt. Colton Smith talks UFC loss, future career. Army Times. July 2, 2014. Tony. Lombardo. Kevin. Lilley.
  14. News: Soldier MMA pro trains with III Corps team. Fort Hood Sentinel. Daniel. Cernero. July 12, 2012.
  15. Web site: TUF 16 Finale results: Colton Smith dominates Mike Ricci to win 'TUF 16'. mmajunkie.com. 2012-12-16. 2020-06-22.
  16. Web site: 'TUF' champs Robert Whittaker and Colton Smith join UFC 160 lineup . MMAJunkie.com . March 3, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130305124353/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/03/tuf-champs-robert-whittaker-and-colton-smith-join-ufc-160-lineup . March 5, 2013 .
  17. Web site: UFC 160 results/photos: Robert Whittaker stops Colton Smith in 'TUF' battle. mmajunkie.com. 2013-05-26. 2020-06-22.
  18. Web site: Michael Chiesa Vs Colton Smith Confirmed For Fight For The Troops. fighters.com. John Petit. 2013-08-23. 2013-08-23. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004221948/http://www.fighters.com/08/23/michael-chiesa-vs-colton-smith-confirmed-for-fight-for-the-troops. 2013-10-04.
  19. Web site: UFC Fight Night 31 results, photos: Michael Chiesa survives to tap Colton Smith. mmajunkie.com. 2013-11-07. 2020-06-22.
  20. Web site: Colton Smith vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira slated for UFC Fight Night in San Antonio. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2014-03-21. 2014-03-21.
  21. Web site: UFC Fight Night 44 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira taps Colton Smith in 38 seconds. mmajunkie.com. 2014-06-28. 2020-06-22.
  22. Web site: Report: TUF 16 winner Colton Smith among five fighters released from UFC. bloodyelbow.com. 2014-07-28. 2014-07-28.
  23. Web site: Back on track: Colton Smith wins in return to MMA cage. armytimes.com. 2015-03-02.
  24. Web site: Colton Smith vs. Marcus Andrusia, Rocks Xtreme MMA 14 | MMA Bout.
  25. Web site: The Ultimate Fighter 16 winner Colton Smith signs with WSOF. mmajunkie.com. 2015-08-20.
  26. Web site: 2013 AGF Southern Regionals - Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Colton Smith. YouTube.com. July 22, 2013.
  27. Web site: One-hit wonders: Whatever became of 'TUF 16' winner Colton Smith?. Chuck Mindenhall. theathletic.com. April 8, 2020.
  28. News: Ricci, Smith, Ellis, Manley win $25,000 'TUF 16' season bonuses. MMAjunkie.com. 2012-12-16. 2013-11-05.