Bantamweight prospect Elijah Smith is trying to comply with in his father’s footsteps within the UFC. It begins this weekend in Las Vegas on the Apex facility.
Upcoming Debut In Las Vegas is Household Affair For Elijah Smith
After a spectacular run on the regional circuit, which included profitable the Colorado Fight Membership Bantamweight Championship, Elijah Smith (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will step into the Octagon this Saturday at UFC Vegas 102. Incomes a UFC contract final September on Dana White’s Contender Collection with a unanimous determination victory over Aaron Tau, Smith now finds himself in a brand new and highly-competitive territory.
Nonetheless, he won’t be making his firm debut with out the correct steerage, as his father, Gilbert Smith, had beforehand fought within the UFC, in addition to participated in two totally different stints on The Final Fighter.
First showing in season 17 of the present, (Gilbert) Smith received his method into the home with a primary spherical submission within the preliminary portion of the match. His run finally got here to a stunning finish, although, after he was brutally knocked out by Luke Barnatt within the first spherical of the bracket with a flying knee. Regardless of the loss, Smith was nonetheless allowed to compete within the UFC on the dwell finale card, the place he was submitted by Bubba McDaniel within the third spherical.
Gilbert Smith Will get Second Probability at TUF Glory
4 years later, Smith was invited to participate in yet one more season of The Final Fighter, combating within the seventeenth version of the competitors, whose solid was composed of people who had appeared on the present in earlier years. Profitable his first match over Seth Baczynski, “Midnight Magic” was soundly overwhelmed by Dhiego Lima within the semifinals, main him to announce his retirement instantly following the bout, ultimately giving strategy to his son, Elijah Smith.
Seasoned Foe Will Take a look at Younger Elijah Smith
Together with his father’s expertise to information him, (Elijah) Smith already has an concept of what to anticipate when he makes his first stroll to the Octagon in a number of days. He’ll want it, as he can be going through his most harmful opponent to this point, the 24-fight veteran Vince Morales.
At present within the midst of his second go within the UFC, Morales (16-8 MMA, 3-6 UFC) brings to the desk his personal truthful quantity of expertise in his upcoming scrap with “Swift.” Competing within the promotion from 2018 to 2022, the Idaho native compiled a disappointing firm report of 3-5 with notable setbacks to Chris Gutiérrez and Johnathan Martinez. Rebounding impressively, Morales proceeded to win his subsequent 5 fights earlier than being introduced again to the UFC final 12 months at UFC Struggle Night time 243, the place he was overwhelmed by Taylor Lapilus through unanimous determination.
For the debuting Elijah Smith, a matchup with somebody of Morale’s caliber is likely to be too robust of an task this early into his UFC tenure. However ought to he handle a win in opposition to “Vandetta,” he will certainly elevate himself to changing into one of many 135-lb division’s quickest rising stars.
