Anthony Smith may be known for his grit inside the Octagon, but outside of it, there’s one person who’s been by his side through every triumph and setback—his wife, Mikhala Renee Newman. As ‘Lionheart’ gears up for what could be his final UFC appearance at UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City, fans are turning their focus beyond fight night and toward the woman who’s shared this rollercoaster ride with him.
So, who exactly is Mikhala Renee Newman? What role has she played in Smith’s journey, and what does life look like for them away from the cameras and chaos of MMA? Let’s take a deeper dive into their family life, her career, and their bond outside the cage.
What does Anthony Smith’s wife Mikhala do?
Anthony Smith has kept most of his personal life away from the media spotlight, and his wife, Mikhala Renee Newman, follows a similar path of privacy. However, a few details about her background have surfaced over the years.
Newman reportedly attended Lutheran Liberal Arts University in Fremont, Nebraska. There, she studied nursing and also played for the college volleyball team, highlighting her athletic background, which complements Smith’s combat sports career.
According to public sources, she graduated with a degree in nursing and is believed to still be active in the medical field. Though there’s no official confirmation of her current role or specialization, it’s believed that she continues to serve as a nurse in Nebraska, balancing her profession with family life.
Anthony Smith and Mikhala Renee Newman’s kids
Scrolling through Anthony Smith’s Instagram gives fans a glimpse into his life beyond the Octagon. A recurring theme? His deep love for his family. The fighter shares multiple photos with his wife and their three daughters, often posting about family outings, celebrations, and simple bonding moments.
Smith and Mikhala became parents before tying the knot. Their first daughter, Ariah, was born in 2011. Like her father, Ariah seems drawn to sports, having shown interest from a young age. In 2014, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Avaya. Three years later, in 2017, they celebrated the birth of their third child, Adley.
Each of their daughters appears in several Instagram posts, often showing a playful and loving household. Despite the brutal nature of MMA, Smith has created a peaceful, grounded life with his wife and children—a true contrast to the cage.
How long have Anthony Smith and Mikhala Renee Newman been married?
Anthony Smith and Mikhala Renee Newman officially tied the knot on September 20, 2019. Their wedding was a relatively low-key celebration held at the Stonebridge Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
Born in 1988 in Nebraska, Newman has kept her personal background, like details about her parents or early life, largely private. But it’s reported that the couple has been together for many years, well before they exchanged vows.
The Smiths continue to reside in Nebraska, where both have deep roots. Their long-standing relationship, complete with years of parenting and shared life experiences, speaks to a quiet strength that has likely supported Smith throughout his rollercoaster MMA journey.
When Anthony Smith fought an intruder to save his wife and kids
In April 2020, Anthony Smith’s role as protector of his family was tested in terrifying fashion. Reports at the time revealed that around 4 a.m., an intruder broke into the Smith household in Nebraska. The UFC fighter, then ranked among the top light heavyweights, awoke to the sound of a man screaming inside his home.
Smith described the encounter as one of the toughest fights of his life. The intruder, later identified as Luke Habermann, had reportedly tried to break into other homes on the street before entering Smith’s through an open garage door.
“I’m expecting to hear a gunshot or he’s gonna stab me. Like he’s got something. I figure I’ve got about two minutes before whatever he’s got takes me out.”, Smith later recalled in an interview detailing the harrowing experience.
Despite being significantly smaller than ‘Lionheart’, Habermann gave him a serious struggle, absorbing multiple punches, elbows, and knees while continuing to fight back. Smith eventually restrained him until police arrived, but the UFC veteran confessed, “You always just think you’re such a badass. I just don’t feel like one. I feel… insufficient a little bit. I didn’t know it was possible to be that terrified.”
That harrowing moment showed a different kind of courage—the kind that has nothing to do with titles or UFC rankings and everything to do with family. Now, as Anthony Smith prepares for what is expected to be the final fight of his career at UFC on ESPN 66 in Kansas City, the spotlight isn’t just on his legacy inside the Octagon. It’s on the life he built outside of it, with Mikhala Renee Newman and their daughters standing firmly by his side.
His upcoming bout against Zhang Mingyang will mark his 59th professional fight and 25th UFC appearance. But whatever the outcome, one thing is certain—Smith won’t be walking away alone. He’ll leave behind a decorated MMA career and return home to the family that has been his anchor through it all.
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