Jimmy Smith and Bellator MMA parted ways recently, but the color commentator didn’t wait long to sign with another organization because he has come to terms with the UFC.
The promotion announced today via press release that the longtime Bellator MMA color commentator is going to be at the announcers table for pay-per-view and televised live events. Smith will also take part in non-live event duties, such as hosting interviews and pre-fight related projects.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan recently had Smith on his podcast, where the UFC personality said that he had tried to get Smith in the UFC before.
Smith now joins a live event broadcast team that includes Joe Rogan, UFC LIght Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, former UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz, Paul Felder, Dan Hardy, John Anik, John Gooden and a host of others.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani is reporting that Smith’s first UFC duty is going to be behind the analyst desk for the UFC 220 pre-fight show.
Smith posted the following on Twitter about signing with the UFC:
Honored to be a part of the @ufc and getting to call the biggest fights in the world!! Can’t wait to get to know everyone there and show how hard I can work!!
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 12, 2018
Bellator 191 was the last event Smith called for the Viacom owned promotion, former UFC fighter MIchael McDonald defeated Peter Ligier in the main event.
Prior to a celebrated career as a color commentator, a newly signed Smith was a professional MMA fighter, where he earned a record of 6-1-0.
