Bellator MMA Re-Signs Color Commentator Jimmy Smith to 5-Year Contract Extension

Jimmy Smith has signed a five-year extension to remain Bellator’s color commentator. | Keith Mills/Sherdog.com

Bellator officials announced Smith’s new deal on Thursday, though terms of the extension were not revealed.

A high school wrestler, Smith began his career as a fighter after being introduced to jiu-jitsu while attending UCLA. Smith compiled a 5-1 pro record and then retired from active competition in 2006. The welterweight next starred in two seasons of “Fight Quest” on the Discovery Channel and later joined the M-1 Global broadcasting team with Sean Wheelock. Smith and Wheelock would set down roots in Bellator for the organization’s second season in 2010 and have since called nearly 100 Bellator broadcasts on MTV2 and Spike TV.

Bellator kicks off its 10th season on Feb. 28, when the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., hosts Bellator 110, highlighted by light heavyweight tournament matchups pitting Quinton Jackson against Christian M’Pumbu and Muhammed Lawal against Mikhail Zayats.