Jacobe Smith has a message for the UFC welterweight division: he is only getting started.
The fast-rising prospect faces the biggest test of his career this Saturday when he takes on the experienced Randy Brown (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) in a co-main event matchup at UFC Vegas 123. For Smith (13-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), it represents more than an opportunity to extend his impressive run. It is a chance to demonstrate just how dangerous he can be now that he believes he is finally operating at full capacity.
“I'm fully healed. I'm not dealing with no injuries. I'm in my prime,” Smith said. “What perfect timing, then, now to start making that push?”
With four first-round stoppage victories in his first four UFC appearances to date, Smith has quickly established himself as a name to watch at 170 pounds, but he knows that rising through the UFC ranks requires more than simply winning. The level of competition continues to increase, and Brown presents a different kind of challenge from the opponents Smith has faced so far.
The matchup will test Smith's ability to deal with an experienced, rangy opponent who can make life difficult for fighters trying to close the distance.
“Just me dealing with range and just more experience,” Smith explained. “So typically with rangy guys, you got to either get inside or take them down, which, I mean, I'm good at both of those positions.”
Smith has built his game around aggression and the ability to impose his strengths on opponents. Against Brown, however, he recognizes that he may need to make adjustments.
“I'm more of a, you know, I like to tag and get out kind of guy,” he said. “But, you know, he's so rangy. I think I get out and he's still able to touch me. So I'll have to adapt a little bit, but not too much.”
The message that follows is unmistakably confident.
“I plan on getting him out of there just like I do everybody else. And I can guarantee you this will be an exciting fight regardless, just like the rest of them.”
A new level after injury setbacks
Smith's confidence is rooted in more than his recent performances. The Oklahoma native believes the biggest development in his career may be happening behind the scenes, as he finally puts the physical problems that once limited his training behind him.
Before transitioning fully into mixed martial arts, Smith built a reputation as a decorated collegiate wrestler. Wrestling gave him a strong technical foundation, but his ambitions extended beyond the mat.
“I always knew I wanted to be a fighter,” he said. “The fight was always in me. I grew up fighting and stuff in my hometown where I was from, and it was well-rounded.”
The transition from wrestling to MMA was relatively smooth from a technical perspective, but his progress was complicated by surgery on his knee and wrist after graduation.
“That was the toughest thing I've dealt with in my career,” Smith said.
The injuries affected more than his ability to wrestle. They also limited the striking techniques he could develop and use in training.
Now, Smith believes those restrictions are finally behind him, giving him the freedom to develop the complete skill set he has long envisioned.
“Now that I'm healed and I don't have to really deal with that anymore, you know, I'm feeling my potential and my true heights that I can get to in this division,” he said.
“And it's only showing each time out more and more.”
For Smith, the prospect of combining his wrestling with a more complete striking arsenal is an exciting one. He believes there is still significant room for improvement, even as he begins to attract greater attention within the division.
“So now I'll have the full arsenal on top of that crazy wrestling,” he said. “A lot more for these dudes to deal with on top of the aggression.”
His assessment of what comes next leaves little doubt about his ambitions.
“Good luck to the rest of the division, but I'm coming to wipe everybody out.”
Kevin Holland is on his radar
Smith is not short of ideas about where his career should go after Saturday's fight. While he acknowledges that the UFC ultimately determines the path forward, he already has several ranked opponents in mind.
Sean Brady and Gabriel Bonfim are among the names he would like to face as he works toward title contention. He also mentioned Kevin Holland, with whom a previous matchup had been planned.
Holland appears to have remained firmly on Smith's radar, and the prospect would welcome the opportunity to settle things inside the Octagon.
“Yeah, I wouldn't mind getting him up out of there,” Smith said. “Hash out everything that he think he got or think he capable of doing to me, just to let him know I'm the big dog.”
The potential matchup would offer Smith another opportunity to test himself against an established UFC name. First, however, he must deal with Brown, whose experience and reach make him a significant challenge in his own right.
Smith's ideal route to the top is already taking shape in his mind.
“If I could have it how I want it, I'd do it in that order and then get my title shot,” he said, referring to the potential matchups he outlined.
He is under no illusion that everything will unfold according to plan, but his long-term goal is clear.
“And I'm guaranteeing you guys a belt for Oklahoma,” he said.
The welterweight division's next contender?
Saturday's co-main event represents an important opportunity for Smith to turn prospect status into something more substantial.
A decisive performance against Brown would strengthen his argument for a step up in competition and help establish whether he is ready to begin pursuing the division's ranked fighters.
Smith believes the timing could hardly be better.
As he sees it, he is entering his prime at precisely the moment when the level of his opposition is increasing. The injuries that once restricted his development are no longer defining his training, and he is eager to show what that means inside the cage.
“This will be my toughest test,” he acknowledged. “He's competing with those guys. He's fought some good guys, but I'm not just some good guy. I'm the future, and I'm here to let everybody know.”
