January 4, 2025 3:00 pm ET
Former Oklahoma State College wrestling standout Jacobe Smith will lastly take a step as much as the largest of leagues.
With Andreas Gustafsson out for undisclosed causes, Smith (9-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will slide in vs. Preston Parsons (11-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC) on quick discover. The welterweight bout takes place Jan. 11 at UFC Fight Night 249 on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Two folks with data of the matchup not too long ago knowledgeable MMA Junkie the brand new battle is agreed upon however requested to stay nameless because the promotion has but to make an official announcement.
Smith, 28, made his MMA debut straight into the skilled ranks in 2021. Initially coaching out of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Smith and teammate Nick Piccininni moved to Dallas to train under coach Sayif Saud at Fortis MMA. Smith racked up six finishes in his first eight skilled fights earlier than an dominant UFC contract-earning stoppage of Christien Savoie on Dana White’s Contender Collection in October.
Parsons goals to bounce again from a July loss to Oban Elliott that continued his promotional career-long stretch of alternating losses and wins. Parsons holds victories over Evan Elder and Matthew Semelsberger to this point in his UFC tenure. With the change, the UFC Battle Night time 249 lineup consists of:
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 249.
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