Elijah Smith
Swift
USA
Highlight-reel slam KO
Smith defeated Toshiomi Kazama via KO (slam) at 4:10 of Round 1 at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Smith came through as the largest betting favorite on the card -- roughly (-800) -- in what was a totally dominant effort. He didn't absorb a single significant strike here en route to a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The finish came after Smith thwarted multiple leglock attempts and Kazama threw up a triangle choke from the bottom position. Smith lifted his opponent in the air and put everything he had into slamming Kazama into the mat off his head. He was out cold immediately, but Smith put a few vicious (and unnecessary) follow-up shots on him for good measure. Smith remains perfect in the UFC and is starting to look like a prospect with some potential in a loaded bantamweight division, especially after this "Knockout of the Year" candidate was put on his highlight reel.
Smith came through as the largest betting favorite on the card -- roughly (-800) -- in what was a totally dominant effort. He didn't absorb a single significant strike here en route to a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. The finish came after Smith thwarted multiple leglock attempts and Kazama threw up a triangle choke from the bottom position. Smith lifted his opponent in the air and put everything he had into slamming Kazama into the mat off his head. He was out cold immediately, but Smith put a few vicious (and unnecessary) follow-up shots on him for good measure. Smith remains perfect in the UFC and is starting to look like a prospect with some potential in a loaded bantamweight division, especially after this "Knockout of the Year" candidate was put on his highlight reel.
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Next fight booked
Smith is slated to face off against Toshiomi Kazama at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith will look to keep up the momentum against Toshiomi Kazama in August after taking down Vince Morales in his UFC debut in February. The 22-year-old American is 8-1 in his professional career.
Smith will look to keep up the momentum against Toshiomi Kazama in August after taking down Vince Morales in his UFC debut in February. The 22-year-old American is 8-1 in his professional career.
Takes decision in UFC debut
Smith defeated Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Smith earned his UFC opportunity following a unanimous decision victory over Aaron Tau on Dana White's Contender Series this past September. He made his official company debut here and managed to earn a hard-fought victory. Smith absolutely deserves credit for being the fresher fighter in the latter stages of the bout. With the fight tied at a round apiece, Elijah landed a few huge blows and picked up a takedown in Round 3 to secure the win. While the win is great, the fact Smith was involved in a dog fight against a guy that entered the evening with a 3-6 record across two stints with the company isn't a great sign. Of course, at 22 years old, Smith has youth on his side.
Smith earned his UFC opportunity following a unanimous decision victory over Aaron Tau on Dana White's Contender Series this past September. He made his official company debut here and managed to earn a hard-fought victory. Smith absolutely deserves credit for being the fresher fighter in the latter stages of the bout. With the fight tied at a round apiece, Elijah landed a few huge blows and picked up a takedown in Round 3 to secure the win. While the win is great, the fact Smith was involved in a dog fight against a guy that entered the evening with a 3-6 record across two stints with the company isn't a great sign. Of course, at 22 years old, Smith has youth on his side.
Official debut set
Smith will take on Vince Morales in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Vegas 102 on Feb. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith enters the UFC on a five fight winning streak after officially getting a contract via Contender Series in September. He'll take on a fringe roster fighter in Morales, a 34-year-old on a three-fight losing streak that will be fighting with his back against the wall.
Smith enters the UFC on a five fight winning streak after officially getting a contract via Contender Series in September. He'll take on a fringe roster fighter in Morales, a 34-year-old on a three-fight losing streak that will be fighting with his back against the wall.
Earns contract in main event
Smith defeated Arron Tau via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series 72. After the show, he was one of five fighters to be awarded an official UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
Smith came out hot, winning the significant striking battle in each of the first two rounds -- dominantly in Round 1 and narrowly in Round 2. He also executed multiple takedowns in each of those two frames, but it barely amounted to over a minute of control time in each. Smith was visibly fatigued by the third round, and his desperate opponent came away with a 56-to-31 significant striking advantage in the frame. Smith dug deep to hang around, but he'll need to budget his cardio for a full 15 minutes by the time he's facing UFC opponents. Nonetheless, Smith is now an addition to the UFC's bantamweight division, and as the son of UFC veteran Gilbert Smith, he becomes the second second-generation fighter in company history.
Smith came out hot, winning the significant striking battle in each of the first two rounds -- dominantly in Round 1 and narrowly in Round 2. He also executed multiple takedowns in each of those two frames, but it barely amounted to over a minute of control time in each. Smith was visibly fatigued by the third round, and his desperate opponent came away with a 56-to-31 significant striking advantage in the frame. Smith dug deep to hang around, but he'll need to budget his cardio for a full 15 minutes by the time he's facing UFC opponents. Nonetheless, Smith is now an addition to the UFC's bantamweight division, and as the son of UFC veteran Gilbert Smith, he becomes the second second-generation fighter in company history.