Jimmy Smith (fighter)

James Smith (born September 2, 1977) is an American sports broadcaster and former mixed martial artist. 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, UFC,[1] Premier Boxing Champions[2] and WWE’s Raw brand. He is a former host for American Ninja Warrior in 2010–2011.[3]

Jimmy Smith
Born
James Smith

(1977-09-02) September 2, 1977
Fresno, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Occupations
  • Commentator
  • television host
Years active2007–present
Martial arts career
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach67.0 in (170 cm)
StyleBJJ, boxing, kickboxing
Fighting out ofLos Angeles, California
TeamRey Diogo BJJ/Carlson Gracie BJJ
Rank  Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ricardo Diogo
Years active2003–2006
Mixed martial arts record
Total6
Wins5
By submission4
By decision1
Losses1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

Smith was born on September 2, 1977. He was a former high school wrestler and teacher. 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.[4]

Mixed martial arts 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.[4] 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.[4]

Commentary career

Mixed martial arts and boxing

Smith got an audition for Fight Quest a week after his last fight and got the job. He 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. He got the job and that's how he transitioned from MMA to hosting to commentating.[4] 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.[5] On December 28, 2017, Bellator announced that they have parted ways with Smith after a 7-year run.[6]

On January 12, 2018, Smith signed with the UFC.[7] On January 1, 2019, Smith revealed that UFC did not renew his contract as a commentator.[8]

On March 8, 2019, it was announced that Smith joined Invicta FC as a commentator.[9]

Professional wrestling

On May 26, 2021, WWE named Smith as play-by-play commentator for Monday Night Raw, replacing Adnan Virk.[10] On October 6, 2022, Smith announced his departure from WWE. [11]

Personal life

Smith has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ricardo "Rey" Diogo.[12]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
6 matches 5 wins 1 loss
By submission 4 0
By decision 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 5–1 Jason Chambers Submission (heel hook) Pangea Fights 1: The Beginning May 12, 2006 1 1:55 Hollywood, California, United States
Loss 4–1 Andy Wang Decision (split) Total Fighting Alliance 2 April 7, 2006 3 5:00 Carson, California, United States
Win 4–0 Vince Gooseman Submission (armbar) King of the Cage 61: Flash Point September 23, 2005 1 2:50 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 3–0 Mario Ackerbert Submission (armbar) Gladiator Challenge 36: Proving Grounds April 9, 2005 1 0:29 California, United States
Win 2–0 James Wilks Submission (kneebar) King of the Cage 37: Hitmaster August 6, 2004 1 1:40 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 1–0 Matt Stansell Decision King of the Cage 31 December 6, 2003 2 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States

References
  1. "Jimmy Smith parts ways with Bellator broadcast team after lengthy run". December 28, 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". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017.
  4. "The Jack Brown Interview: Jimmy Smith from cage to commentator". mixedmartialarts.com. March 5, 2013.
  5. "Bellator MMA Announcer Jimmy Smith to Provide Analysis for Spike TV's 'PBC'". Sherdog.com. February 19, 2015.
  6. "Jimmy Smith parts ways with Bellator broadcast team after lengthy run". MMAjunkie.com. December 28, 2017.
  7. "Veteran color commentator Jimmy Smith signs with UFC". mmafighting.com. January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  8. Tristen Critchfield (January 1, 2019). "Veteran Analyst Jimmy Smith Reveals That UFC Has Not Renewed His Contract". sherdog.com.
  9. DNA, MMA (March 8, 2019). "Jimmy Smith sluit zich aan bij Invicta FC". Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  10. Jimmy Smith comments on new role as Raw play-by-lay voice - 411 Mania.com
  11. "Jimmy Smith Announces His Departure from WWE". October 6, 2022.
  12. "Bellator Commentator Gets BJJ Black Belt". FIGHTSPORTS.tv. November 25, 2016.
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