Colton Smith

Colton Smith (born August 14, 1987) 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.

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.

Army career
Smith, an infantryman, earned airborne, ranger, and sapper tabs and has served two tours in Iraq. While assigned to Echo Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), Smith earned his Expert Infantryman Badge. Representing the "Old Guard", Smith finished 2nd in the 185 lbs division in the 2009 Army Combatives tournament after being submitted by Lt. Col. Larry McCord of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment in their final fight. 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 sevicemembers.

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. He was once again the subject of controversy after he kicked Ricci in the groin and continued to attack despite Ricci's obvious pain and his attempts to wave Smith off.

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 subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.

Accomplishments

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

Mixed martial arts record

 * Loss
 * align=center|3–4
 * Carlos Diego Ferreira
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
 * June 28 2014
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:38
 * San Antonio, Texas, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–3
 * Michael Chiesa
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * UFC: Fight for the Troops 3
 * November 6 2013
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|1:41
 * Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States
 * Lightweight debut.
 * Loss
 * align=center|3–2
 * Robert Whittaker
 * TKO (punches)
 * UFC 160
 * May 25 2013
 * 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
 * December 15 2012
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Won The Ultimate Fighter 16.
 * Loss
 * align=center|2–1
 * Steve Montgomery
 * KO (punch)
 * Championship Fighting Alliance 5
 * February 24 2012
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|0:08
 * Coral Gables, Florida, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|2–0
 * Walter Coles
 * Submission (punches)
 * Demolition Combat
 * October 29 2011
 * 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
 * March 25 2011
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:19
 * Norfolk, Virginia, United States
 * }
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Brian Nielson
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * M-1 Challenge 24
 * March 25 2011
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:19
 * Norfolk, Virginia, United States
 * }
 * }
 * }

Amateur mixed martial arts record

 * Win
 * align=center| 5–1
 * Gary Wilkins
 * TKO (punches)
 * Barbarian Fight Club - 2011 Matinee
 * January 15 2011
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|1:57
 * Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center| 4–1
 * Chad Malone
 * Decision (split)
 * OO 11 - Operation Octagon 11
 * June 26 2010
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Sterling, Virginia, United States
 * Win
 * align=center| 4–0
 * William Bookwalter
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * OO 9 - Operation Octagon 9
 * November 7 2009
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:29
 * Sterling, Virginia, United States
 * Win
 * align=center| 3–0
 * Jarreau Mobley
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * OO 8 - Operation Octagon 8
 * August 15 2009
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|1:33
 * Manassas, Virginia, United States
 * Win
 * align=center| 2–0
 * Cody Toy
 * Submission (anaconda choke)
 * OO 5 - Operation Octagon 5
 * December 6 2008
 * 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
 * January 12 2008
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:52
 * Winchester, Virginia, United States
 * }
 * Win
 * align=center| 1–0
 * Rob Wine
 * TKO (punches)
 * Gladiator Fight Club 2 - Call to Glory
 * January 12 2008
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:52
 * Winchester, Virginia, United States
 * }
 * }