A 5,000-word profile in the New York Times Magazine takes a hard look at the underground fight club Felony Fights and the mixed martial arts world through the eyes of Shad Smith, a professional fighter with a long criminal resume. He’s also gay, a piece of his personality that writer Paul Wachter explores but does so in a matter-of-fact way that should serve as an example to sports writers who face gay jocks on their beats.
I asked Smith why he spent so much of his youth looking for trouble. I expected some sort of clichéd, though possibly true, explanation — a difficult childhood or a Napoleon complex. What I didn’t expect him to say was, “You know, bro, the sexual-preference thing.”
Smith is gay, and I know of no other professional fighter who is openly so. “I was always scared that my mom and dad would find out and wouldn’t like me, and my brothers wouldn’t like me,” he said. “I was petrified, because I didn’t want anyone to find out. And I would try to be the toughest person around. That way, no one would suspect, no one would ever say it, no one would think it.” …
Smith’s boyfriend, Jesse Empey, also joined us. Younger than Smith, Empey has an angular face and dark features and looks a little like Keanu Reeves. He’s a makeup artist and used to live in New York, and he met Smith through a mutual friend.
The profile also captures the brutal nature of mixed martial arts:
Smith tackles his opponent, and when he establishes a full mount, his opponent’s father quickly intervenes and stops the fight before Smith’s punches can do further damage.
“But keep watching,” Smith told me. The camera is fixed on Smith as he unwinds the wrapping from his right hand. The camera zooms in, and there’s a long patch of white running along one of his fingers. “That’s where my bone came out,” Smith said, smiling. “It hurt like hell, but I kept fighting.”
In some regards, Smith is similar to Rod Llaneza, an Atlanta kickboxer who is also gay, though he came out after leaving the sport. But his experiences in the physically-demanding sport are just as captivating as those told by Smith. –Matt Hennie
Matt Hennie, an Atlanta writer, contributes to Outsports and has a gay-themed sports blog.
on Mar 25th, 2008 at 11:24 PM
This… is… effing… awesome! His reason for fighting reminds me a lot of why I want to get into MMA. Really cool post.
on Mar 27th, 2008 at 9:16 PM
As a gay man and long time fan of the MMA, since the beginnings of the UFC, I am happy someone finally has the guts to come out in the sport. I have long enjoyed the homoeroticism of the sport. Two guys in tight shorts rolling around on the mat, terms like “The Mount”, “Rear Mount”, “Top/bottom”. I can’t help but get excited when I look see someone in someone elses guard and can’t help but notice the eroticism of the postion. To finally have a pro fighter come out is amazing. Hopefully it will help his career and the fans back him.
on Mar 30th, 2008 at 12:53 AM
I haven’t heard of Shad, but it’s cool he came out. I heard thought that Aaron Ajay Savvy was the first MMA fighter to come out. Who was the first? I just hope that they won’t be punished for it in their fights. They have a lot of courage & strength to come out like this.
on Mar 30th, 2008 at 9:54 PM
More power to him! We need more like him to come out!
on Apr 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 AM
Hey Shad, I have always liked the mix martial arts since I first caught The Ultimate Fighter. I am another guy who likes the close contact of the sport, the homoeroticism… Not only can you kick ass but you are gay too. I wish I could kick ass… I am pulling for you.
on Apr 4th, 2008 at 8:39 PM
This is more valid proof that the stereotypes of gay men as being weak, unathletic, and uncoordinated are all dead wrong. Here is a gay man that is an MMA fighter and is top notch in martial arts. That requires a tremendous amount of physical strength and coordination. We definately need more successful gay athletes come out of the closet and make themselves known. That alone could help change the public image of gays and lesbians for the better.
on Apr 19th, 2008 at 11:34 PM
There’s a lot of guys who are gay, and are into MMA and all. Being gay doesn’t mean you are weak, that stereotype, is out there because of what is pushed out as the mainstream of gay culture, and let me tell you, guys like Smith keep away from the gay world, you won’t find guys like him in any gay clubs, gay bars, or gay events, I know that for a fact. He didn’t get into the sport because of the “eroticism” I know quite a few gay guys who just love to fight, they put in a ton of hard work in training, and love testing their skills against others who do the same exact thing, they’re no different from the warriors, and gladiators of ancient times, and love between 2 men in those times, wasn’t something one had to hide, but neither man acted like a woman, nor would want to take the role as the woman in the relationship, and guys like Smith are the same way. I’ve been into MMA, and the UFC since it started (was 13) I do it now, and when I heard of Smith coming out, I wasn’t shocked and surprised, I could care less, that’s cool he has no prob letting people know, real awesome, but all that matters is he fights well, and as someone who is gay as well, I’m glad he doesn’t act how so many other gays do, how the mainstream gays are, and that image,and he’s remained faithful to his guy as well.
on Apr 19th, 2008 at 11:40 PM
One guy in the UFC, who’s name escapes me at the moment (half zombified) He’s a Jehovah’s witness, now THAT’S more shocking to me, than Shad Smith telling all that he is gay, another thing that would shock me, is if Matt Hughes, came out saying he was gay haha, he’s ultra conservative, religious family farm boy haa
on Apr 25th, 2008 at 3:21 PM
that is amazing. i’m hoping to hear and see more of this!
can anyone point me in the direction of what cities have a real active mma scene? underground or w/e…
on Sep 12th, 2008 at 12:37 AM
MMA > Aaron ‘ajay’ Savvy
http://www.afterelton.com/node/9561
briefly did some porns too on seancody.com
on Oct 30th, 2008 at 11:56 AM
To reply to post #2 Richard Belfry. I am gay, I’m 27 years old and I’ve been doing MMA for 3 years now. More specifically Muay Thai, Sanda, and BJJ. I have a large gay social network here in Boston, and I hear the same thing everywhere I go… Its very homoerotic. I have mixed feelings about these comments, first of all, there is nothing remotely romantic about having your back taken, its not a turn on at all, it sucks! BJJ is a skill and technique that should be appreciated as such, and not looked upon as a emulated sex act in any way. If you want to comment on some of the fighters by saying “he’s hot, or he’s got a great body, thats one thing” Don’t further people’s paranoia about gays in MMA by saying how turned on you get when guys go to the ground, its disrespectful to the fighters both gay and straight.
Shad Smith is a tough mother fucker, he’s got an iron chin and the heart of a warrior. I respect his courage to come out and back it up by putting the stomp on dudes!!
Nicely done Shad!!
on Dec 11th, 2008 at 11:39 PM
LMAO…Illl never look at another full guard mount the same again…..queer MMA fighters?????WTF??? perversion is rampant…we MUST be in the end times!
on Dec 12th, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I do not believe it. No cocksuckers can fight! If he hassa sex with the men then he must afuck thema.
on Dec 19th, 2008 at 5:42 AM
It’s a gay sport.
Most of the men in it are gay. (I know for a fact that they are been with a lot of them almost every one thats in the UFC) Heck the fighter that wins usally does the one that loses the next week- part of losing)
Being weak comes not from the homesexual side of life but from the Heterosexualls. just like they think Gays want to be with men who act like women. News for you idiots Gay men want to be with MEN – not women that’s were the gays are weak thing comes from.
Being gay is a fight – every day.
Gays are stronger, smarter, and more moral than Heterosexualls and that’s just the way it is.
the only weak humans are the breeders
on Dec 19th, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Most retarded post I have ever read. You cannot be serious when you say simply because someone is gay they are automatically a better human being. Those gays who harrass Christians for their political opinion in California or try to put a restaurant out of business because they donate $100 to a cause contrary to allowing gay marriage are hardly moral. You should base your decisions on morality and integrity on an INDIVIDUAL basis, otherwise you are just as bad as the straights you claim are lacking as people.
on Mar 9th, 2009 at 2:15 AM
Wow, he’s hot. I’d love to get sandwiched between him and Chris Kanyon. Yowza!
on Mar 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 AM
HAHA Brad telling everyone his fantasies. And Chris k, I agree with 1000%
on Apr 8th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
I don’t get why his preference even matters. Either way, hope to see him going places!
on May 26th, 2009 at 1:35 AM
This is bs queers shouldn’t be allowed 2 fight in mma fights all fags should be banned from this planet it will b a beter place
on Jun 9th, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Great post. Hey, collegewrestler you hit the nail on the head.
Acting tough and being perceived as tough and masculine is important to us gay men. Proving masculinity is inherent in all men, both gay and straight men. ( Michael Kimmel, Manhood in America).
I WANT TO INTERVIEW YOU AND OTHERS ABOUT THIS FOR MY DOCUMENTARY about strength, power and dominance being revered in society and how it is eroticized in gay life.
Anyone know how to get in touch with Shad Smith?
on Jan 31st, 2010 at 7:15 PM
think most mma fighters r gay i know egan inoye is
on Mar 1st, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Ok lmfao, to the ignorant bastards on here who think that having a gay MMA fighter is preposterous and ungodly, go fuck yourself lol. Im a gay 17 year old who loves MMA and who could most likely kick the shit out of you if we ever met on the street, I may be gay, but I am still a MAN, and like a man I wont hesitate to knock some of you ignorant bitches in the face, and put a smackdown on ur asses, so haha to you little puss bitches, MMA fighting is an international sport.
and only real men kiss men.
Peace!