Leslie Smith (born August 17, 1982) is an American professional female mixed martial artist.
Smith fights out of the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team and is noted for a similar level of high volume striking and aggressiveness to other members of that camp.
Smith entered Invicta Fighting Championships as a prospect with a 3–2 professional mixed martial arts record.
[7] Having gone unbeaten in three fights, Smith moved up in competition at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson when she faced former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Sarah Kaufman on April 5, 2013.
During the fight, Kaufman used footwork to stay on the outside whilst Smith played the aggressor and set a high work rate.
[20] Smith faced Jessamyn Duke at UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller on July 16, 2014.
[23] The bout was stopped in the 2nd round due to a stoppage by the cage-side doctor, as Smith's cauliflower ear split open.
[24] Smith fought Rin Nakai at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir on March 20, 2016.
[27] Smith next faced Irene Aldana on December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson.
[28] Smith faced Amanda Lemos on July 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio.
[42] She played water polo at South Pasadena High School, where she was named All-CIF and team MVP.
[44] In 2018, Smith started Project Spearhead, an organization that is attempting to unionize UFC and MMA fighters.
[45] Smith also recently gave a speech during a conference for the Economic Policy Institute regarding Project Spearhead.