Anthony Smith set to return Oct. 2 amid four felony charges

Anthony Smith is returning to competition at Gamebred Bare-Knuckle MMA 12 on October 2 in the Dominican Republic, where he will face Jordan Heiderman in the main event. The comeback comes as the former UFC light heavyweight contender navigates serious legal troubles: he was arrested in Nebraska in July following an alleged altercation with his wife and currently faces four felony charges while out on bail.

Smith has pleaded not guilty and his wife has publicly supported him. The fighter has promised to share his account of events in due course. Gamebred FC, the promotion hosting his fight, issued a lengthy statement explaining its decision to book him while his case proceeds through the courts. The organization affirmed that Smith is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, and emphasized that preventing him from earning a living before his day in court would be unfair to him and his family.

"Anthony is facing serious allegations, and like every person in this country, he is entitled to due process," Gamebred FC president and COO Lex McMahon wrote. "Anthony also has a family to provide for and competing is how he does that." Lex McMahon and promotion co-founder Jorge Masvidal noted they have known Smith and his family for years and believe there is more to the story than what has appeared in headlines.

Smith, who holds a 39-22 record, left the UFC after a loss to Mingyang Zhang. He made his bare-knuckle debut with Gamebred FC in April, scoring a knockout victory over Chase Sherman.