Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA announcer Jimmy Smith is moving over to the world of professional wrestling.
According to an initial report by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Smith will join World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as a lead play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Raw. Smith is expected to make his debut on the upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw on May 31.
Smith, 43, is best known for his seven years of commentating duties under the Bellator MMA banner. In Jan. 2018, Smith signed with UFC and helped announce a plethora of Fight Night shows and international events. UFC did not re-sign Smith after his one-year contract expired and the veteran journalist hit the free market. Two months later he ended up joining Invicta FC as a lead announcer.
Smith will now become part of one of the most notable events in sports and entertainment today. Landing the gig for WWE Monday Night Raw is a massive opportunity for Smith, who has limited background experience in announcing professional wrestling. Still, the combat veteran is excited about the chance to call WWE matches and prove his worth among some of the most loyal fans around.
“Hey guys, well it’s been a busy day,” Smith wrote on Twitter after news leaked that he had signed with WWE. “Apparently [WWE] liked my work so far. I know I’m stepping into a new world (I WAS a Mr. Perfect and Bruiser Brody fanatic however) but know I’ll do everything I can to honor the athletes and fans. Watch Monday and judge my work for yourself.”
Smith will join long-time analysts Matthew Polinsky and Bryan Kelly as part of the WWE Monday Night Raw broadcast team.
What do you think, fight fans? Is Smith a good fit for WWE?
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