Colton Smith: TUF 16 Winner and Army Ranger on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies Podcast

/ About episode 198

Colton Smith won Season 16 of The Ultimate Fighter, holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is an Army Ranger and combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is also the only soldier ever to compete on TUF and fight in the UFC while on active duty.

Colton walks Milton and Ben through growing up as an Iowa wrestler, enlisting right out of high school, and getting Army approval for TUF one day before his flight to Vegas. We get into the infamous fake glove touch, what was going through his head and whether he would do it again, plus life in the TUF house, teaching combatives to Special Operations soldiers, and running gyms and businesses while still on active duty.

/ What we talked about

5:56 From the Army to the UFC
How a full-time soldier ended up on the road to the Octagon.

8:14 The TUF tryout and selection
Making it through tryouts and getting Army approval one day before flying to Vegas.

13:32 Military challenges and leadership
What the Army taught him about leading people, and what it made harder.

18:53 Looking back on his service
Reflections on military life and how it shaped the rest of his career.

23:00 An Iowa wrestling foundation
Where his grappling started, long before Jiu Jitsu.

31:55 Gym ownership and Enlisted Nine
Building gyms and businesses while still serving.

35:44 Fights, competition and injuries
The tough fights he faced once he made it to the UFC.

41:31 Inside the TUF house
What really goes on when a house full of fighters lives together.

/ Quick questions

Who is Colton Smith?

Colton Smith is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 16, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, and an Army Ranger who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the only soldier to compete on TUF and fight in the UFC while on active duty.

What is Enlisted Nine?

Enlisted Nine is Colton Smith's fight company and gym brand. You can find it on Instagram at @enlistedninefightcompany.

Where can I watch the full Colton Smith interview?

The full in-studio video is on the Jiu Jitsu Dummies YouTube channel, and the audio is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every major podcast app.

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/ More from the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast

Jiu Jitsu Dummies is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu podcast for people who love the sport and do not take themselves too seriously. Follow on Apple Podcasts, subscribe on YouTube, or browse every episode.