Jimmy Smith (fighter)

Jimmy Smith
Born (1977-09-02) September 2, 1977
Fresno, United States
Nationality American
Alma mater UCLA
Occupation
  • color commentator
  • television host
Years active 2007–present

Mixed martial arts career

Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Reach 67.0 in (170 cm)
Years active 2003–2006
Mixed martial arts record
Total 6
Wins 5
By submission 4
By decision 1
Losses 1
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

James Smith (born September 2, 1977) is an American mixed martial arts commentator who currently works for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is also a former mixed martial arts fighter. He was the co-host of the television show Fight Quest, with Doug Anderson, on the Discovery Channel. He is also a former commentator for Bellator between 2011-2017[1] and Premier Boxing Champions.[2] He is as a former host for American Ninja Warrior in 2010-2011.[3] In January 2018 Jimmy Smith signed up as color commentator for the UFC.[4]

Early life

Smith was a former high school wrestler. He attended UCLA in college but at that time, they did not have a wrestling team so some students who wrestled in high school would meet at the Wooden Center to wrestle. He was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu when during one of their wrestling sessions a BJJ instructor invited him to attend a class that night at the same room. After graduating Smith trained at Team Punishment.[5]

MMA career

Smith had planned to attend graduate school at UCLA but did not get admitted. He decided to turn pro in MMA and accepted a fight on 2-days notice in a regional unsanctioned event, he won the fight in 30 seconds with an armbar.[5] He had a total of 6 MMA fights and only lost 1. He decided to quit fighting after getting accepted for a job as a host for the Discovery Channel's show Fight Quest.[5]

TV career

Smith got an audition for Fight Quest a week after his last fight and got the job. Smith hosted Fight Quest for 2 seasons with Doug Anderson. It last aired on October 3, 2008. After Fight Quest, he received an email from Pride's former VP, Jerry Millen, to do an M-1 Global show in Amsterdam as they needed a color commentator last-minute. Millen had seen Fight Quest and sent a message to both Smith and Anderson and whoever got back first would have gotten the job. Smith got the job and that's how he transitioned from MMA to hosting to commentating.[5] In 2010, Smith started to be the color commentator for Bellator in season 2 after their tv-deal agreements with Fox Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo. In the same year, Smith started to host American Ninja Warrior for its second season. Smith co-hosted American Ninja Warrior until the third season before being replaced by Jonny Moseley for the fourth season. On March 13, 2015, Smith provided co-hosting duties together with former boxing champion Antonio Tarver for Premier Boxing Champions.[6] On December 28, 2017, Bellator announced that they have parted ways with Smith after a 7-year run.[7] On January 12, 2018, Smith signed with the UFC.[8]

Personal life

Smith has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ricardo “Rey” Diogo.[9]

MMA record

Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location
Win 5-1 United States Jason Chambers Submission Heel Hook Pangea Fights 1: The Beginning May 12, 2006 1 1:55 United States Hollywood, California
Loss 4-1 United States Andy Wang Decision Split Total Fighting Alliance 2 April 7, 2006 3 5:00 United States Carson, California
Win 4-0 United States Vince Gooseman Submission Armbar King of the Cage|KOTC: Flash Point September 23, 2005 1 2:50 United States San Jacinto, California
Win 3-0 United States Mario Ackerbert Submission Armbar Gladiator Challenge 36: Proving Grounds April 9, 2005 1 3:25 United States California
Win 2-0 England James Wilks Submission Kneebar King of the Cage|KOTC 37: Hitmaster August 6, 2004 1 1:40 United States San Jacinto, California
Win 1-0 United States Matt Stansell Decision King of the Cage 31 December 6, 2003 2 5:00 United States San Jacinto, California

References

  1. ↑ "Jimmy Smith parts ways with Bellator broadcast team after lengthy run". 28 December 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith earns BJJ black belt". MyMMANews.com. November 22, 2016.
  3. ↑ "'American Ninja Warrior' storms Japan's Mount Midoriyama". LATimes.com.
  4. ↑ "Jimmy Smith on his UFC contract: I'm not here to take Joe Rogan's place". Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Jack Brown Interview: Jimmy Smith from cage to commentator". mixedmartialarts.com. March 5, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Bellator MMA Announcer Jimmy Smith to Provide Analysis for Spike TV's 'PBC'". Sherdog.com. February 19, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jimmy Smith parts ways with Bellator broadcast team after lengthy run". MMAjunkie.com. 28 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "Veteran color commentator Jimmy Smith signs with UFC". mmafighting.com. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Bellator Commentator Gets BJJ Black Belt". FIGHTSPORTS.tv. November 25, 2016.



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