Jimmy Smith (fighter)
James Smith is an American mixed martial arts commentator and a former mixed martial arts fighter. 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 and Premier Boxing Champions. He is as a former host for American Ninja Warrior in 2010–2011.
Early life
Smith was a former high school wrestler. 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.MMA 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. 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.TV career
Smith got an audition for Fight Quest a week after his last fight and got the job. Smith 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. Smith got the job and that's how he transitioned from MMA to hosting to commentating. 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. On December 28, 2017, Bellator announced that they have parted ways with Smith after a 7-year run.On January 12, 2018, Smith signed with the UFC. On January 1, 2019, Smith revealed that UFC did not renew his contract as a commentator.
On March 8, 2019, it was announced that Smith joined Invicta FC as a commentator.
Personal life
Smith has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ricardo "Rey" Diogo.MMA record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location |
| Win | 5-1 |  Jason Chambers | Submission Heel Hook | Pangea Fights 1: The Beginning | 1 | 1:55 | Hollywood, California | |
| Loss | 4-1 | Andy Wang | Decision Split | Total Fighting Alliance 2 | 3 | 5:00 | Carson, California | |
| Win | 4-0 | Vince Gooseman | Submission Armbar | KOTC: Flash Point | 1 | 2:50 | San Jacinto, California | |
| Win | 3-0 | Mario Ackerbert | Submission Armbar | Gladiator Challenge 36: Proving Grounds | 1 | 0:29 | California | |
| Win | 2-0 |  James Wilks | Submission Kneebar | KOTC 37: Hitmaster | 1 | 1:40 | San Jacinto, California | |
| Win | 1-0 | Matt Stansell | Decision | King of the Cage 31 | 2 | 5:00 | San Jacinto, California |