Brief Introduction of Colton Smith
Colton Smith is a retired American mixed martial artist and a decorated active-duty soldier in the United States Army. He rose to prominence in the MMA world as the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson in 2012. This victory earned him a contract with the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known for his dominant wrestling style, Smith is also highly regarded for his concurrent career as a combat infantry soldier, having served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His ability to compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts while actively serving in the military makes him a unique and respected figure in both communities. After his UFC tenure, he continued to compete in other promotions and now dedicates his time to coaching and his veteran-owned business.
Colton Smith Overview
| Full Name | Colton T. Smith |
| Date of Birth | August 14, 1987 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 38 |
| Birthplace | Ankeny, Iowa, U.S. |
| Profession | Mixed Martial Artist (Former), U.S. Army Soldier, Entrepreneur |
| Husband/Wife | Megan Smith |
| Family | Wife (Megan), Three Children |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Married |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $500,000 and $1 Million |
Early Life and Education of Colton Smith
Colton Smith was born on August 14, 1987, in Ankeny, Iowa. From a young age, he was immersed in a culture of toughness and athletics. His family had a strong background in sports; his mother was a bodybuilder and arm-wrestler, while his father competed in boxing. However, wrestling was the sport that truly captured his passion. Smith began wrestling at an early age and continued through high school, competing for Ankeny High School at 145 pounds. He had a successful high school wrestling career, winning state titles in both Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. This foundation in wrestling would become the bedrock of his future success in mixed martial arts. Immediately after graduating from high school in 2005, Smith made the pivotal decision to enlist in the U.S. Army, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was a decorated Korean War veteran. This choice set him on a dual path of military service and professional fighting.
Colton Smith’s Career
Colton Smith’s career is a remarkable blend of military service and professional fighting. He enlisted in the Army as an infantryman right after high school in 2005, during the height of the war in Iraq. His military career has been distinguished; he earned the prestigious Ranger and Sapper tabs, as well as Airborne and Air Assault badges, and has been deployed to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was during a deployment in Baghdad that his interest in MMA was sparked after getting his hands on UFC DVDs. He began training and took his first amateur fight just seven days after returning from a deployment in 2008, which he won.
He started his professional MMA career in 2011, amassing a record of 2-1 before getting his big break. In 2012, Smith was selected as a cast member for the 16th season of the reality television show, The Ultimate Fighter. As an active-duty soldier, he had to get special permission and use his own saved-up leave to participate. On the show, his relentless wrestling-based style proved highly effective. He won all five of his fights by decision to advance to the finale. On December 15, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale, Smith faced Mike Ricci. He dominated the fight with his grappling, earning a unanimous decision victory to become “The Ultimate Fighter” and secure a lucrative six-figure contract with the UFC. This made him the first active-duty military member to win the competition and sign with the UFC.
Smith’s career in the UFC following his TUF victory was challenging. He lost his next three fights against tough opponents: a TKO loss to Robert Whittaker, a submission loss to Michael Chiesa, and another submission loss to Carlos Diego Ferreira. After these losses, he was released from the promotion. However, Smith did not give up on his fighting career. He returned to the regional circuit, picking up victories in promotions like Rocks Xtreme MMA. He later signed with the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), where he won his debut fight. His last recorded professional fight was in 2018. Throughout his fighting career, he maintained his commitment to the Army, a unique feat that earned him respect and a strong following among fellow service members. After retiring from professional competition, he has focused on coaching and business, co-founding Enlisted Nine Fight Company, an MMA gym and lifestyle brand in Virginia.
Colton Smith Personal Life & Family
Colton Smith is a dedicated family man. He is married to Megan Smith, who is an entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of their business, Enlisted Nine Fight Company. The couple has three children. Smith has often spoken about the importance of his family and their support throughout his dual careers in the military and MMA. In his post-fight victory speech after winning The Ultimate Fighter, he emotionally thanked his “lovely wife Megan.” The family resides in Virginia, where they are active in their local community and various veteran support networks. Smith’s Christian faith is a cornerstone of his life, and he credits it for his opportunities and achievements. Despite the demands of being a professional athlete and an active-duty soldier, he has prioritized his role as a husband and father. He is also involved in coaching youth wrestling in his community, passing on the skills that have been so fundamental to his own success.
Awards and Achievements of Colton Smith
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) The Ultimate Fighter 16 Welterweight Tournament Winner
- The Ultimate Fighter 16 Fight of the Season
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
- Combatives Black Belt
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame “Outstanding American” Inductee
- Arnold Schwarzenegger “Out of the Ring” Award Winner
- Multiple time IBJJF Gold Medalist
- U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB), Airborne and Air Assault badges
Colton Smith Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Colton Smith’s estimated net worth is between $500,000 and $1 million. His income has been generated from multiple sources. A significant portion came from his career as a professional mixed martial artist. Winning The Ultimate Fighter 16 secured him a six-figure contract with the UFC. His income was further supplemented by fight purses from his bouts in the UFC, WSOF, and other regional promotions. In addition to his fighting career, Smith has had a continuous income from his service in the U.S. Army, where he has risen to the rank of Sergeant First Class. Another major income source is his business, Enlisted Nine Fight Company, an MMA academy and veteran-owned lifestyle brand that he co-founded with his wife. The company has proven to be successful, adding to his overall financial standing.
Legacy and Influence
Colton Smith’s legacy is defined by his unique and inspiring journey of balancing a professional fighting career with active-duty military service. He made history as the first active-duty service member to not only compete in but win The Ultimate Fighter and subsequently fight in the UFC. This accomplishment brought significant positive attention to the U.S. Army and its Combatives program, showcasing the discipline, resilience, and skills instilled in soldiers. Smith became a role model for many service members, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue personal passions at a high level while fulfilling the duties of a soldier. His unwavering commitment to his country, even at the peak of his fighting career, earned him widespread respect. The Army Times noted the backlash they received from readers when criticizing his fight performances, an indication of his popularity within the military community. He has also been an advocate for the Army’s combatives training, highlighting its importance for soldiers. Through his gym, Enlisted Nine Fight Company, he continues to influence the next generation of martial artists and maintains a strong connection to the veteran community.
Interesting Facts about Colton Smith
- His interest in MMA began while he was deployed in Iraq, after he obtained a collection of UFC DVDs from a local market.
- He took his first amateur MMA fight with no specific MMA training, just seven days after returning from a military deployment.
- To compete on The Ultimate Fighter, he had to use 54 days of his own saved-up personal leave from the Army.
- In addition to his UFC contract, he won a brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle for winning The Ultimate Fighter 16.
- He is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- His family has a strong athletic and service-oriented background; his father was a boxer, his mother a bodybuilder, and his grandfather a decorated Korean War veteran.
- He is a co-owner of the successful MMA academy and lifestyle brand, Enlisted Nine Fight Company.
Controversies
During his time on The Ultimate Fighter, Colton Smith was the subject of some controversy in his first fight to get into the house. He put his hand out, seemingly to touch gloves with his opponent as a sign of sportsmanship, but then faked the touch and immediately shot in for a takedown. In a post-fight interview after winning the show, Smith addressed this, stating, “I’m not a cheap fighter like what you saw the first fight in the house. That’s not me i’m a very gracious fighter winner lose or draw.”
Social Media Presence
- Instagram (@coltonsmithmma) – Publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Colton Smith
Colton Smith’s story is one of dual dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in two vastly different and demanding arenas: the battlefield and the mixed martial arts cage. The Colton Smith biography is not just about a fighter, but about a soldier who broke new ground, proving that service to one’s country and the pursuit of individual athletic glory are not mutually exclusive. Though retired from professional MMA, his impact continues. He remains an active-duty soldier, a respected leader, and a mentor to aspiring fighters and wrestlers at his gym, Enlisted Nine Fight Company. His journey from a young wrestler in Iowa to a UFC champion and decorated Army Ranger serves as a powerful testament to his discipline, work ethic, and unwavering character. His future plans appear to be focused on his military career, his family, and growing his business, ensuring his legacy of service and martial arts expertise continues to inspire others for years to come.
