Where Is Anthony Smith From? Ethnicity, Religion & More

Anthony Smith has spent nearly two decades in professional MMA, with over 50 fights to his name. A former title challenger and a veteran of both Strikeforce and the UFC, ‘Lionheart’ has built a name as one of the toughest fighters in the light heavyweight division. With his retirement fight set for UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City, the spotlight has once again turned to Smith.

But beyond the brutal wars inside the cage, fans are increasingly curious about who Smith really is outside the Octagon. Where did he grow up? What’s his ethnic background? And what role does religion play in his life?

What ethnicity and nationality is Anthony Smith?

Born on July 26, 1988, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Anthony Smith holds American nationality. However, he spent most of his childhood in Nebraska City, where he was raised by his single mother and grandfather after his father abandoned the family.

“I grew up in Nebraska City. I played football and wrestled my whole life. I was quite the troubled youth and dropped out of high school when I was 17,” Smith once shared in an interview with Victory FC. His first step into combat sports came unexpectedly after he spotted a flyer for an amateur fight night while at a Subway restaurant.

In a 2012 interview, Smith opened up about how much his grandfather meant to him. “I didn’t have a dad growing up. My grandpa pretty much helped raise me. He died, and then a couple years later all this stuff starts happening, and I never really dealt with my grandpa dying. I know it sounds stupid, but he was like my hero.”

Anthony Smith has also publicly identified as biracial—African-American and Caucasian, which drew mixed reactions online. While his X (formerly Twitter) account is currently deactivated, past posts have revealed the backlash he received for acknowledging both sides of his heritage.

In the absence of a father figure, the UFC star’s mother became his inspiration to become a success. Unfortunately for him, she, too, died soon after. 

Talking about his pain and anguish, Smith in a statement added that it is ok not to be ok and sometimes it is better to let it go. “I buried both of my parents in the past three years,” said Smith. He further added, “As I said, I had to realize it’s OK to not be OK all the time. I’m sure I’ll have a couple of breakdowns and I’ll cry about it this week, but I’ll get back to training. I’m just sick of being the f***ing tough guy all the time”

Which religion does Anthony Smith follow?

Anthony Smith was born into a Christian family, a fact that aligns with his American Midwest upbringing. While he has never spoken extensively about his current religious practices, his belief system appears to be nuanced and personal.

One of the most intriguing aspects is his back tattoo—a goat, which often represents different things across cultures and religions. Some fans have speculated that this tattoo reflects a symbolic or spiritual layer to his identity, though Smith has never publicly confirmed its meaning.

In a past interview, Smith highlighted the inclusive nature of MMA and how it has shaped his worldview by stating, “In the MMA community, they don’t care where you come from. They don’t care what you’ve done in your past. They don’t care what your religion is. They don’t care what color your skin is, or who you love in the gym.”

From growing up in Nebraska without a father figure to finding his calling through a flyer on a fast-food window, his story is one of grit. 

Now, with his retirement bout set for  UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City against Zhang Mingyang, Smith appears ready to close this chapter of his career. Do you think ‘Lionheart’ will turn back the clock and deliver one last vintage performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!