Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Surging UFC welterweight star Jacobe Smith will put his undefeated record on the line against a seasoned veteran on Halloween.
Former Oklahoma State wrestling standout Jacobe Smith has made a quick impression in the UFC Octagon. Unbeaten through 13 MMA fights, Smith picked up his second-straight first-round finish earlier this month at UFC 332 over Bruce Whitehead.
Smith is considered one of the welterweight division’s most intriguing prospects after earning a contract via Dana White’s Contender Series. After defeating Whitehead, Smith called to reschedule a fight with UFC fan favorite Kevin Holland for his next test inside the Octagon.
Smith and Holland were supposed to square off at UFC OKC earlier this year, before Holland withdrew due to an injury. As Smith continues to wait for Holland to be medically cleared to fight, he’ll take on a 2025 headliner on short notice later this month.
Jacobe Smith faces career-best test in short-notice UFC Vegas 123 co-main event
Smith will step up on 11 days’ notice to fight former Top 15 mainstay Randy Brown in the UFC Vegas 123 co-main event on October 31st. Brown was originally booked to face former PFL standout Carlos Leal, before Leal withdrew due to injury.
Heavy was the first to report the news of the short-notice matchup.
Brown returns to the Octagon against Smith looking to snap a two-fight skid after getting knocked off the Top 15 welterweight rankings. He most recently lost to Holland at UFC 327 following a TKO loss to Gabriel Bonfim in November.
Brown’s last win came by knockout against Nicolas Dalby at UFC Kansas City last year. He’s lost three of his last four fights, including a split decision loss to Bryan Battle at UFC 310.
Smith vs. Brown will serve as the new UFC Vegas 123 co-main event. UFC Vegas 123 is headlined by a lightweight matchup between Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan.
What is your prediction for Jacobe Smith vs. Randy Brown? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
