Veteran Analyst Jimmy Smith Reveals That UFC Has Not Renewed His Contract
After approximately one year, mixed martial analyst Jimmy Smith and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are parting ways.
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“Now that the New Year has arrived I’m afraid I have to announce that the UFC has declined to re-sign me and my time with the promotion has come to an end,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “I just want to thank everyone at the promotion who made me feel welcome and appreciated at every single show.
“I tried my utmost to show the fighters the respect they deserved for giving their lives to this sport and hope they felt that when they heard what I had to say. The UFC fans were truly amazing and I wish I could thank each and every one of you for your support and even your criticism because it made me strive to be better. Wishing everyone a great 2019 and on to the next fight…Adios Amigos.”
Smith joined the UFC broadcast team at the beginning of 2018, helping call Fox Sports events and pay-per-views as well as working in the FS1 studio. He made his color commentary debut with the Las Vegas-based promotion this past February at UFC 221.
Prior to his short-lived UFC stint, Smith worked approximately nine years with Bellator MMA. The two sides mutually parted ways at the end of 2017 when Smith was unable to reach a new contract agreement with the Scott Coker-led organization.
Now that the New Year has arrived I’m afraid I have to announce that the UFC has declined to re-sign me and my time with the promotion has come to an end. I just want to thank everyone at the promotion who made me feel welcome and appreciate at every single show.
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 1, 2019
I tried my utmost to show the fighters the respect they deserved for giving their lives to this sport and hope they felt that when they heard what I had to say. The UFC fans were truly amazing and I wish I could thank each and every one of you for your support and
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 1, 2019
even your criticism because it made me strive to be better. Wishing everyone a great 2019 and on to the next fight...Adios Amigos
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) January 1, 2019
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