Commentator Jimmy Smith announces departure from UFC

Jimmy Smith is no longer a commentator for the UFC.

Speaking on Twitter on the first day of the New Year, the broadcast talent announced that he is not being re-signed by the promotion.

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

“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,” Jimmy Smith wrote on Twitter. “I just want to thank everyone at the promotion who made me feel welcome and appreciate 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,” he continued in a pair of followup Tweets. “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.”

Jimmy Smith was regrettably not with the UFC for long, having joined the promotion in January 2018. Prior to this run, he was a long-time color commentator for Bellator MMA.

Going forward, it’s possible he returns to Bellator, joining a commentary team composed of “Big” John McCarthy, Chael Sonnen, Mike Goldberg and Mauro Ranallo. He could also join Frank Trigg and “Showdown” Joe Ferrero on the RIZIN broadcast team, or perhaps Mitch Chilson, Michael Schiavello and Miesha Tate at ONE. Whatever the case, with major MMA shows getting traction all over the world, he would certainly seem to have options.

Where do you think Jimmy Smith will end up?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 1/1/2019.