Career Averages - Kai Asakura
Career Averages - Cameron Smotherman
Kai Asakura
Cameron Smotherman
Kai Asakura - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Asakura (-275); Smotherman (+225)
Round 1
Next up at UFC Macau are a pair of bantamweights who could really use a win, as Asakura (21-6; 0-2 UFC) and Smotherman (12-6; 1-2 UFC) have both underperformed thus far, compared to expectations. For former
Rizin Fighting Federation
star Asakura, it is a return to bantamweight, where his best pre-UFC wins took place anyway. Both men are in orthodox stance when Marc Goddard sends them into battle, and while Smotherman does look a tad larger, Asakura does not look at all like a blown-up flyweight. The early exchanges are cautious, mostly single strikes, with none of the exotic flying attacks that comprise so much of his highlight reel, but his speed advantage is obvious. He splits the guard of Smotherman with a couple of punches that land and hurt, then drops him to a knee with a beautiful switch right hook that wraps around the guard.
Smotherman manages to get back to his feet, but as he staggers back towards the fence, Asakura lands two left hooks. The second one puts Smotherman out completely, face down on the canvas where he remains for a long time.
Absolutely sensational knockout from Kai Asakura.
The Official Result
Kai Asakura def. Cameron Smotherman R1 1:50 via KO (Punches)
AJ picks Asakura (referred to as Caio Borralho in transcript, but context indicates Kai Asakura) because of his snappy kickboxing, dangerous knees, and body kicks. He notes Smotherman is a decent boxer but has no offensive grappling (zero takedowns in UFC) and had a terrible weight cut. AJ thinks Asakura's speed advantage will show and predicts a knockout, possibly via knee.
AJ picks Asakura, believing he will be reinvigorated at bantamweight after struggling with the cut to flyweight. He notes Asakura's speed, kickboxing, and knockout power will be too much for Smotherman, who is a lower-tier opponent. AJ expects a KO win, possibly in highlight-reel fashion.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the better striker in a striking matchup. He notes that Cameron Smotherman has zero recorded takedown attempts in the UFC and is coming off a bad weight cut. He thinks Kai's speed and footwork will be the difference, but he is not betting due to the odds.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the superior striker and Smotherman has no takedown attempts in the UFC. He notes that Asakura's takedown defense is nonexistent, but since Smotherman doesn't wrestle, Asakura should win on the feet. He refuses to bet on Asakura at -300 due to the takedown vulnerability, but he believes Asakura will win.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura, believing his striking is superior to Smotherman's and that Smotherman won't attempt takedowns, negating Asakura's weakness. He notes Asakura is winless in the UFC but should win if he doesn't have to defend takedowns.
Big Brady picks Asakura by first-round KO, viewing this as a massive step down in competition after Asakura's title fight debut. He notes Smotherman has a poor chin, has been knocked out multiple times, and recently fell face-first on the scale. He believes Asakura is a much better striker and grappler, and that Smotherman can't grapple, so the fight stays on the feet where Asakura has power and quick hands.
Cody picks Asakura, citing his speed and striking advantage over Smotherman. He notes Smotherman's bad weight cuts, suspect durability (KO loss in 13 seconds), and poor wrestling. Cody believes Asakura can piece him up on the feet and potentially knock him out. He also mentions that Asakura's move up to 135 may help with weight cut and speed.
Levi picks Asakura, believing he has better boxing and can knock out Smotherman. He dismisses Smotherman's UFC credentials, noting his knockout loss to Harlampos Gregorio and weight-cutting issues. Levi thinks Asakura will finally showcase his hype.
Jacob picks Kai Asakura because he should have the speed advantage and be more dynamic. He notes that Cameron Smotherman tends to plant his feet and look for counters, which could lead to inactivity. He warns that Kai should not hang out in the pocket because Cameron has power.
Lucrative James picks Kai Asakura but is not confident, calling it a 'very strange fight' and disliking the line. He notes Asakura's poor UFC performances, including submission losses, and questions his move up to bantamweight where he loses the size advantage. He sees Asakura's path via knockout due to power and speed, but worries if he doesn't get the finish, Smotherman's boxing could win rounds. He mentions Smotherman's fainting incident and chin issues but still leans Asakura as a pure pick, though he would look at props or even bet Smotherman if the line moves.
The host picks Asakura, believing his power and speed will be too much for Smotherman. He notes Asakura is more dangerous in the knockout department and may have a speed advantage. He expects Asakura to land big shots and potentially put Smotherman away, despite Smotherman's technical edge.
The host believes this is the most favorable matchup for Kai Asakura in the UFC, expecting him to utilize his flashy striking. Despite Smotherman's technical striking, Asakura's speed and power will be the difference, leading to a knockout.
Paul is tempted by Asakura but hesitant due to his age (32) and move up in weight. He notes Asakura's losses in rematches and his UFC loss to Pantoja. However, he acknowledges Smotherman's poor weight cut and durability issues, and that Asakura is the better striker. Paul leans Asakura but is not fully confident.
The Guru picks Kai Asakura over Cameron Smotherman, citing Kai's speed and power advantage. He believes Kai's explosive striking will outclass Smotherman's volume-based boxing. He notes Smotherman's back-to-back losses and expects Kai to land the bigger shots.
The MMA Guru picks Kai Asakura to win by knockout. He notes that Asakura is a step up in competition for Smotherman, and Asakura's striking is more dynamic and powerful. He believes Asakura will keep the fight on the feet and land a knockout, as Smotherman is mostly a boxer and small for the weight class.
The Guru picks Asakura due to superior grappling and striking. He notes Asakura has good knees, combinations, and recovers quickly when hurt. Smotherman is a striker who hates grappling and has decent takedown defense but will be outmatched on the ground. Asakura should win comfortably.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 0 | 27 of 71 | 38% | 42 of 88 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 | 0 | 1:54 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 21 of 87 | 24% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 24 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 11 of 45 | 24% | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 18 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 1:05 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 10 of 42 | 23% | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Elliott | 27 of 71 | 38% | 18 of 43 | 2 of 18 | 7 of 10 | 26 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Kai Asakura | 21 of 87 | 24% | 17 of 79 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 87 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Elliott | 16 of 40 | 40% | 9 of 24 | 1 of 8 | 6 of 8 | 15 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Kai Asakura | 11 of 45 | 24% | 8 of 40 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tim Elliott | 11 of 31 | 35% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Kai Asakura | 10 of 42 | 23% | 9 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Asakura (-310), Elliott (+250)
Round 1
It’s main card time, and a pair of exciting flyweights will start off this $85 event—regional pricing notwithstanding. After over a year and a half away, elder statesman Elliott (20-13-1, 9-11 UFC) comes back to the cage to take on former title challenger and ex-Rizin champ Asakura (21-5, 0-1 UFC). The latter is looking for his first UFC win, as he was thrust into a championship opportunity in his December debut, and he fights down the rankings board to find his place in the division. The two will have referee Rob Madrigal overseeing what should be a fun one, and they do not tap their gloves together to engage.
Elliott fakes a giant spinning kick to lead off, and he lowers his hands and starts tossing out flashy kicks. Asakura answers him with two powerful punches upstairs, and Elliott still does not pick his hands up. Elliott hops up and down while switching stances, drawing out a few more punches that he avoids successfully before pitching a head kick. Elliott spins with a back kick, and he absorbs three punches to the body and head from the Japanese flyweight. Asakura bears down on Elliott to strike him a few times, and he rocks the former Glory MMA fighter with his big swings. Elliott swings back hard too, and he nods to Asakura that he got caught. Elliott waves his hands around awkwardly waiting for Asakura to engage, and he misses his strikes including an open-handed slap.
Asakura nails the longtime vet with a right hand and a left hook that drives Elliott to the wall, but Elliott bounces away no harm done. Asakura beats his man to the punch with his long strikes, and Elliott’s offense is barely going at all. Asakura puts a one-two down the pipe that cuts open Elliott’s left eyebrow, and he gets off a knee to the body and several punches after it. Elliott bounces back, landing a single low kick but getting potshotted by Asakura. Elliott tags his foe at the end of a single right hand, but it is one-and-done as he gets back to unorthodox movements and attacks like a cartwheel kick. Asakura boots Elliott upside the head, and Elliott ducks down and secures a double to advance immediately to the side. Elliott spams surprisingly heavy knees to the body to open up elbows, and he briefly traps Asakura’s arm beneath his leg to open up more strikes. Elliott elbows a few more times, and Asakura scrambles to stand as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Asakura
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Asakura
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Asakura
Round 2
As the second round begins, Elliott motions to the crowd to get excited and then somersaults towards his opponent. Asakura ignores it and lets Elliott stand up so he can plant his fist in his face. Elliott’s strange movement opens up a heavy left hand for him, and he connects a second in the middle of Asakura’s counters. Chants in favor of Elliott rain down, but no one does anything to take advantage of that energy. Asakura scores a leg kick, and Elliott goes to the body and then flails his way forward with fists flying. Elliott slips and rips with a left hand, and he winds up another and catches Asakura flush on the jaw. Asakura comes up short with a flying knee, and Elliott dodges the worst of them and is right back in Asakura’s face with a left hook zooming. Asakura times a solid right hand with Elliott ducking, and Elliott just smiles at him. How demoralizing.
Elliott jams Asakura in the knee with a pair of stomping kicks, and his low kicks that follow disrupt the wide-swinging Asakura. Elliott keeps himself afloat with decent movement, especially upstairs, but he still takes the occasional power punch that turns his different parts of his face a shade of crimson. Elliott runs at his opponent and secures a takedown, but when he circles to take the back, Asakura is able to escape. Asakura just misses with two booming hooks, and Elliott is as wild as ever as he ducks some punches, dances around and shoots with a takedown. Asakura sits up, and Elliott threatens with a guillotine choke and uses it to relocate himself to full mount. Asakura pushes with all his might to relieve the pressure, but his eyes start to bulge and his face changes colors. Even with little time left in the round, Asakura cannot ride it out any longer. The former Rizin champ taps out twice on the hip, and Elliott has just pulled off quite an upset. The year is 2025 and Tim Elliott has just finished a fight over a man many years his junior.
The Official Result
Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura R2 4:39 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo questions why Asakura is a 3-to-1 favorite given his lack of UFC success and poor takedown defense. He believes Elliott's grit, forward pressure, and grappling can overwhelm Asakura, despite Elliott's age and layoff. He picks Elliott, rooting for him due to his personal story.
Big Brady picks Kai Asakura to win by second-round knockout. He is worried about Tim Elliott's age (38), layoff (1 year 8 months), and cardio. He thinks Asakura has good takedown defense and nasty striking with power. He notes Elliott hasn't faced many power punchers and that Asakura is a big favorite. He also questions Elliott's training camp. He expects Asakura to finish Elliott.
Connor picks Asakura, but with low confidence, noting that Asakura is an insanely talented intercepting striker with good scrambling wrestling. He believes Asakura's speed and counter-striking could lead to Elliott's first knockout loss, as Elliott is very hittable. However, he acknowledges that Elliott's tenacity and chain wrestling could exhaust Asakura, and that Asakura's defense is poor.
The host acknowledges Asakura's finishing nature but highlights Elliott's elite flyweight grappling and record. He expects Elliott to avoid Asakura's finishing style, grind him against the cage, take him down, and win by decision with top control.
The Guru picks Kai Asakura to win by first-round KO over Tim Elliott. He believes Asakura is more dynamic, physical, and has finishing potential. The Guru notes that Elliott lacks power and will not be able to earn Asakura's respect on the feet. He predicts Asakura will eat a few shots, realize he can take them, and then finish Elliott with a brutal combination. The Guru also mentions Elliott's age and lack of motivation as factors.
Zane picks Asakura, but is not confident, noting that Asakura's style is high-risk and that Elliott is durable and has never been knocked out. He points out that Asakura's defense is poor but he stays focused and is hard to hurt. Zane believes Asakura's speed and counter-striking could be too much for Elliott, but he acknowledges that Elliott's wrestling could be a problem if he gets takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 32 of 52 | 61% | 33 of 53 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 | 0 | 2:46 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 17 of 29 | 58% | 30 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 31 of 49 | 63% | 32 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 15 of 26 | 57% | 27 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:46 |
| Kai Asakura | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja | 32 of 52 | 61% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 14 | 30 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Asakura | 17 of 29 | 58% | 10 of 20 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 17 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 31 of 49 | 63% | 14 of 30 | 5 of 5 | 12 of 14 | 29 of 47 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Asakura | 15 of 26 | 57% | 8 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Alexandre Pantoja | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kai Asakura | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pantoja (-285), Asakura (+230)
Round 1
This one is for all the marbles at the flyweight division. Fast approaching the cliff age of 35, Pantoja (28-5, 12-3 UFC) wants to further cement his legacy and turn away a heavy-handed contender new to the promotion. One of a very small number of fighters in the modern era that received a title shot without ever competing in the Octagon, Asakura (21-4, 0-0 UFC) wants to be the first to actually win when given the opportunity. The exciting stylistic clash will be governed by referee Jason Herzog, who brings the fighters together to bump gloves. It’s on with the show. Pantoja takes to the center of the cage, kicking the front leg and rushing forward directly into a flying knee. Asakura defends the takedown when landing, and Pantoja is after him hellbent for leather. Pantoja blasts the challenger in the face with a left hand, and Asakura keeps himself upright largely thanks to the wall behind him. Pantoja considers changing levels, perhaps not aware of the damage he caused, but he strips Asakura’s legs away and climbs into top position a minute in. Asakura is warned for striking the back of the head as Pantoja settles down on top of him, and Pantoja is not opening up with offense and instead has his hands trapped. Asakura times an explosion from his foe to jump back to his feet. Asakura reaches his target with a right hand, and he gets knocked back by the champ. Asakura scores a few low kicks, lets his hands go and slides away. Pantoja chases him, mostly hitting air but getting a strike from the Japanese fighter. Asakura times a perfect knee on the solar plexus, and Pantoja walks him down fearlessly throwing heaters. Asakura scores another big knee, and he works at the front leg as Pantoja bears down on him. Asakura rushes out to connect with a left hand, and Pantoja gets off a low kick and whiffs on a subsequent one-two. Asakura wraps his foot around Pantoja’s guard, and the champ retaliates with a heavy inside leg kick. Pantoja strings a few punches together and ends the combination with a knee, and Asakura just smiles at him. Asakura misses with a low kick and eats a body kick for his handiwork, with Pantoja in and out in a flash. Pantoja blitzes him with a few heavy punches up top, and he slams his shin on the side to conclude another flurry. Asakura backpedals but still absorbs a flush body kick, and he is intercepted on the way up when trying to fly with a knee. The intense round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 2
The flyweights clap hands to get going again, and they meet in the middle and pick their shots. Pantoja snaps out a jab that surprises his opponent, and Asakura backs himself to the wall so he can clip Pantoja with counters. Pantoja dives after a takedown, and when Asakura predictably and effectively scrambles, Pantoja hops around to take his back standing. Pantoja wraps his leg around the waist, but his other hook is unable to loop around the back. Pantoja jumps on the back as soon as Asakura exposes it when trying to escape, and the flyweights hit the floor. Pantoja fastens an immediate body lock, squeezing the Japanese fighter’s breadbasket while simultaneously attacking a rear-naked choke. Pantoja secures the choke, and Asakura frantically fights off the choke arm to stay in the fight. The Brazilian readjusts his grip, and he slinks it completely under the chin to make it academic. While Asakura is fighting the hands, suddenly he gives up on it as consciousness leaves his body. Asakura’s arm falls limp by his side, and Herzog tests it a few times to make sure that Asakura is out. Asakura is all the way out, his eyes stuck open as the lights are on but no one’s home. Herzog calls a halt to the main event, and “The Cannibal” has done it again, making it look easy by spurning a dangerous contender. The victorious Pantoja hands Asakura his first submission loss, although Asakura went out on his shield and had no interest in tapping out. Pantoja declares that this is his division, his town and his Octagon, and that no one will challenge him as long as he is the champ. Fresh challengers will be few and far between, but someone will emerge before long as the next test for the champ. Pantoja has now notched three straight defenses of his 125-pound throne, and he is only eight behind divisional leader Demetrious Johnson—a man that he calls out in his post-fight interview. If all-time great Johnson decided to come out of retirement and return to the organization, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura R2 2:05 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Alexandre Pantoja, citing his wrestling and pressure as the difference. He believes Kai Asakura's takedown defense is untested against a grappler of Pantoja's level, and the weight cut to 125 lbs may be a factor. Pantoja is durable and has power. Angelo notes the odds are widening and he has already bet on Pantoja.
Cody picks Pantoja, having already bet him by submission. He notes Asakura hasn't gone five rounds and hits hard, but Pantoja gets takedowns when he wants and is relentless. He expects Pantoja to shoot early and often and secure a submission, possibly in later rounds.
Connor emphasizes Pantoja's toughness, durability, and refusal to lose. He notes that Pantoja has never been knocked out and has a strong chin, having eaten heavy shots from fighters like Deiveson Figueiredo. Connor points out that Asakura's game is narrowly defined and that Pantoja's volume and grappling will likely overwhelm him. He also highlights the cage vs. ring adjustment for Asakura, suggesting his wrestling defense may not translate well.
Daniel acknowledges Asakura's knockout power and history of winning first fights, but ultimately picks Pantoja due to his relentless takedown game, elite back-taking, and championship mindset. He notes Pantoja's high takedown volume and recovery ability, but admits Asakura is dangerous and could win, making this a hesitant pick.
Daniel Vreeland picks Alexandre Pantoja, calling him underrated and well-rounded. He notes that while Asakura has fought good competition in Rizin and Bellator, it's a different level than the UFC. He mentions age is not a major factor since Asakura is 32, and he prefers the known quantity who has proven he can get it done at the highest level.
Jeff Fox picks Pantoja, arguing that Asakura only wins if Pantoja is dumb enough to stand and trade for an extended period. He notes that when Pantoja decides to grapple, it shouldn't be a problem, referencing Asakura's loss to Kyoji Horiguchi where he was outgrappled. Fox also mentions Asakura lost to Tim Elliott largely by being outgrappled, and Pantoja is a couple of steps above Elliott in grappling, making it wildly alarming for Asakura backers. He concludes that the longer Pantoja stays on the feet, the more danger he's in, but he likely won't stay there long.
Lucrative James picks Pantoja to win by submission, specifically a rear-naked choke, citing intangibles like Octagon experience, cage wrestling, and rule set differences. He notes Pantoja is hittable but durable, and expects him to overcome early adversity. He predicts a finish in round 2 or 3, but won't bet due to wide odds.
Pantoja is the clear grappler in this matchup and should be able to get the takedowns early to lock up a submission. Asakura could be dangerous in the later rounds if he stops takedowns and showcases his gas tank, but Pantoja will make it a short night by finding the back and submitting him within the first two rounds.
Paul picks Pantoja but notes concerns: Asakura is a dangerous striker with knockout power, and Pantoja has had close fights. However, he believes Pantoja is the better fighter and should win via takedowns and pressure. He mentions Asakura's weight cut issues and lack of recent 125lb fights.
The MMA Guru picks Pantoja, citing his superior grappling chain-wrestling compared to Morab's, which will allow him to take Asakura's back. He notes Pantoja's underrated technical striking, especially body kicks, and his proven chin against Figueiredo. He worries Asakura can be slept by a glancing shot and has been out for a year. He predicts a finish in the first two rounds or a decision.
Zane agrees with Connor, stating that Pantoja is a true fighter who finds ways to win even when his game isn't clean. He notes that Pantoja's grappling is a key advantage and that Asakura's wrestling may not be ready for the cage. Zane also mentions that Pantoja's volume and pressure will be difficult for Asakura to handle, and that Asakura's best chance is a knockout, which is unlikely given Pantoja's chin.
Cameron Smotherman - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Asakura (-275); Smotherman (+225)
Round 1
Next up at UFC Macau are a pair of bantamweights who could really use a win, as Asakura (21-6; 0-2 UFC) and Smotherman (12-6; 1-2 UFC) have both underperformed thus far, compared to expectations. For former
Rizin Fighting Federation
star Asakura, it is a return to bantamweight, where his best pre-UFC wins took place anyway. Both men are in orthodox stance when Marc Goddard sends them into battle, and while Smotherman does look a tad larger, Asakura does not look at all like a blown-up flyweight. The early exchanges are cautious, mostly single strikes, with none of the exotic flying attacks that comprise so much of his highlight reel, but his speed advantage is obvious. He splits the guard of Smotherman with a couple of punches that land and hurt, then drops him to a knee with a beautiful switch right hook that wraps around the guard.
Smotherman manages to get back to his feet, but as he staggers back towards the fence, Asakura lands two left hooks. The second one puts Smotherman out completely, face down on the canvas where he remains for a long time.
Absolutely sensational knockout from Kai Asakura.
The Official Result
Kai Asakura def. Cameron Smotherman R1 1:50 via KO (Punches)
AJ picks Asakura (referred to as Caio Borralho in transcript, but context indicates Kai Asakura) because of his snappy kickboxing, dangerous knees, and body kicks. He notes Smotherman is a decent boxer but has no offensive grappling (zero takedowns in UFC) and had a terrible weight cut. AJ thinks Asakura's speed advantage will show and predicts a knockout, possibly via knee.
AJ picks Asakura, believing he will be reinvigorated at bantamweight after struggling with the cut to flyweight. He notes Asakura's speed, kickboxing, and knockout power will be too much for Smotherman, who is a lower-tier opponent. AJ expects a KO win, possibly in highlight-reel fashion.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the superior striker and Smotherman has no takedown attempts in the UFC. He notes that Asakura's takedown defense is nonexistent, but since Smotherman doesn't wrestle, Asakura should win on the feet. He refuses to bet on Asakura at -300 due to the takedown vulnerability, but he believes Asakura will win.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the better striker in a striking matchup. He notes that Cameron Smotherman has zero recorded takedown attempts in the UFC and is coming off a bad weight cut. He thinks Kai's speed and footwork will be the difference, but he is not betting due to the odds.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura, believing his striking is superior to Smotherman's and that Smotherman won't attempt takedowns, negating Asakura's weakness. He notes Asakura is winless in the UFC but should win if he doesn't have to defend takedowns.
Big Brady picks Asakura by first-round KO, viewing this as a massive step down in competition after Asakura's title fight debut. He notes Smotherman has a poor chin, has been knocked out multiple times, and recently fell face-first on the scale. He believes Asakura is a much better striker and grappler, and that Smotherman can't grapple, so the fight stays on the feet where Asakura has power and quick hands.
Cody picks Asakura, citing his speed and striking advantage over Smotherman. He notes Smotherman's bad weight cuts, suspect durability (KO loss in 13 seconds), and poor wrestling. Cody believes Asakura can piece him up on the feet and potentially knock him out. He also mentions that Asakura's move up to 135 may help with weight cut and speed.
Levi picks Asakura, believing he has better boxing and can knock out Smotherman. He dismisses Smotherman's UFC credentials, noting his knockout loss to Harlampos Gregorio and weight-cutting issues. Levi thinks Asakura will finally showcase his hype.
Jacob picks Kai Asakura because he should have the speed advantage and be more dynamic. He notes that Cameron Smotherman tends to plant his feet and look for counters, which could lead to inactivity. He warns that Kai should not hang out in the pocket because Cameron has power.
Lucrative James picks Kai Asakura but is not confident, calling it a 'very strange fight' and disliking the line. He notes Asakura's poor UFC performances, including submission losses, and questions his move up to bantamweight where he loses the size advantage. He sees Asakura's path via knockout due to power and speed, but worries if he doesn't get the finish, Smotherman's boxing could win rounds. He mentions Smotherman's fainting incident and chin issues but still leans Asakura as a pure pick, though he would look at props or even bet Smotherman if the line moves.
The host picks Asakura, believing his power and speed will be too much for Smotherman. He notes Asakura is more dangerous in the knockout department and may have a speed advantage. He expects Asakura to land big shots and potentially put Smotherman away, despite Smotherman's technical edge.
The host believes this is the most favorable matchup for Kai Asakura in the UFC, expecting him to utilize his flashy striking. Despite Smotherman's technical striking, Asakura's speed and power will be the difference, leading to a knockout.
Paul is tempted by Asakura but hesitant due to his age (32) and move up in weight. He notes Asakura's losses in rematches and his UFC loss to Pantoja. However, he acknowledges Smotherman's poor weight cut and durability issues, and that Asakura is the better striker. Paul leans Asakura but is not fully confident.
The Guru picks Kai Asakura over Cameron Smotherman, citing Kai's speed and power advantage. He believes Kai's explosive striking will outclass Smotherman's volume-based boxing. He notes Smotherman's back-to-back losses and expects Kai to land the bigger shots.
The Guru picks Asakura due to superior grappling and striking. He notes Asakura has good knees, combinations, and recovers quickly when hurt. Smotherman is a striker who hates grappling and has decent takedown defense but will be outmatched on the ground. Asakura should win comfortably.
The MMA Guru picks Kai Asakura to win by knockout. He notes that Asakura is a step up in competition for Smotherman, and Asakura's striking is more dynamic and powerful. He believes Asakura will keep the fight on the feet and land a knockout, as Smotherman is mostly a boxer and small for the weight class.
Angelo picks Cameron Smotherman, calling him the far better striker who will control the fight on the feet. He criticizes Ricky Turcios for getting worse in each fight, describing his style as running forward with windmill punches. He notes Smotherman's unreliability but believes he is more than a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady is not a fan of either fighter, but leans Smotherman due to his slick striking and hands. He criticizes Turcios for a poor performance against Aiemann Zahabi and his taunting. However, he notes Smotherman is chinny and has been knocked out before, so he's not confident. He predicts Smotherman by decision.
Cody leans toward Ricky Turcios as an underdog, citing his durability and cardio. He notes Turcios's wrestling and volume could overwhelm Smotherman, who has poor takedown defense. Cody believes Turcios can win a decision or even a submission, and likes the plus money value.
Connor picks Smotherman because he is at least fast and powerful, while Turcios is a mess with low athleticism. He notes that Smotherman has technical skills but freezes up, while Turcios is a cyclone of activity without direction. Connor believes Smotherman has more potential to do damage if he chooses to.
Daniel Vreeland picks Cameron Smotherman simply because he dislikes Ricky Turcios as a fighter. He notes that neither fighter belongs in the UFC, but he refuses to pick Turcios. Vreeland acknowledges that Smotherman has decent hands but a suspect chin and poor ground game, making this a low-confidence pick.
James picks Smotherman, calling him the much better boxer and noting Turcios's lack of activity and focus on side ventures. He expects Smotherman to outbox Turcios and possibly hurt him.
The host picks Smotherman by decision, citing his slick striking and footwork. He believes Smotherman can counter Turcios's pressure and avoid grappling, as Turcios is not as strong a wrestler as Ricky Simone. He notes Smotherman's takedown defense has improved and expects him to win on the scorecards.
Paul picks Cameron Smotherman but is hesitant due to his takedown defense issues. He notes Smotherman's superior boxing and volume, but worries about Turcios's wrestling and durability. Paul prefers the over 2.5 rounds prop and believes Smotherman can win a decision if he stuffs takedowns.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting that Ricky Turcios has looked scared to fight and has not won recently. He likes Smotherman's body work and ability to snowball into fights, while Turcios lacks early aggression. He predicts a decision win.
Zane agrees with Connor, using the same logic: Smotherman is a solid athlete while Turcios has very little natural athleticism. He notes that Turcios has stamina and toughness but is a mess technically. Zane thinks Smotherman could do damage if he chooses to, but the fight is low level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 0 | 34 of 74 | 45% | 50 of 94 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 9:13 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 29 of 99 | 29% | 33 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 19 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:27 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 16 of 31 | 51% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:56 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 12 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 17 of 56 | 30% | 18 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Simón | 34 of 74 | 45% | 22 of 62 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 28 of 62 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 29 of 99 | 29% | 23 of 89 | 5 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 94 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricky Simón | 7 of 13 | 53% | 5 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ricky Simón | 16 of 31 | 51% | 8 of 23 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 11 of 37 | 29% | 9 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ricky Simón | 11 of 30 | 36% | 9 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 27 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Cameron Smotherman | 17 of 56 | 30% | 14 of 49 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 52 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Simon (-440), Smotherman (+340)
Round 1
On short notice, Simon (21-6, 9-5 UFC) now stands across the cage from high-flying Fury FC product Smotherman (12-5, 1-1 UFC). Simon was initially expected to battle Charles Jourdain, but it is what it is now. The bantamweights will be joined in the cage by referee Blake Grice, who claps them in as they choose to tap their gloves together. Smotherman jabs and low kicks, and Simon does the same. Simon turns his hips into one thudding kick, and he suddenly goes high with a kick that Smotherman barely blocks in time. Both swipe at the other with hooks, and Simon drops levels, stutter-steps and shoots for a single-leg takedown. Simon lifts Smotherman all the way in the air and chucks him to the mat, where Smotherman is quick to sit up against the wire. Simon hooks one leg in and starts peppering Smotherman with free left hands, and Smotherman is stuck unable to get back up. When Smotherman attempts to stand, Simon wrenches him back down again. Simon isolates Smotherman’s left arm in pursuit of a kimura, and Smotherman gives up position to defend against it. Simon takes advantage of this to step into full mount, and he allows Smotherman to turn over so he can start fishing for a rear-naked choke. Simon cannot get his hooks in, so Smotherman is able to fight back to his feet with about 30 seconds left in the round. Simon leans on him against the wire, kneeing him in the side of the head while trying to drag Smotherman back down. Simon rides out the round squeezing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 2
Smotherman takes the center of the cage and marches forward to start off the second round, looking for a hook that he cannot find yet. Simon loops a right hand around the guard and plunks the front leg with a kick, and he dodges the counter to weave a right hand up top. Simon kicks the front leg and keeps his guard up to block the right hand aimed down the pipe, and he walks into a pair of punches but does not budge. Instead, Simon leaps in the air with a knee, and he lands and grabs hold of a double. Simon tackles Smotherman to his back, placing himself in half guard while exerting heavy shoulder pressure. Simon flattens his man out when Smotherman tries to buck and twist to get out, and he slashes down with a pair of elbows. Simon leans back a slight amount to wrap his arm around Smotherman’s neck, either for a guillotine setup or to push Smotherman down. Simon spins around to grab his foe from behind, and Smotherman stands back up in the process. Simon leans on Smotherman from the back while jamming Smotherman against the wall, and Smotherman starts chattering towards the grapple-heavy adversary. Simon ignores it and continues to embrace the grind, transitioning a single to a double and back to a single. Smotherman looks for a standing ninja choke, but Simon wriggles his neck out without concern. “The Baby-Faced Killer” drives a knee down the middle, and when it succeeds, he goes for another. Simon shrugs them off and loops a right hand up top and a left to the liver. Simon narrowly avoids a looping right hand as he scores a low kick, and Smotherman’s final strike of the round is a front kick to the chest. Grice has to get between the two when the horn sounds, ushering them back to their corners. Smotherman does not appear to be a happy man right now.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Simon
Round 3
Smotherman is fired up between rounds, and he starts throwing hands and grins when Simon obliges him. Simon takes a jab on the forehead and showboats while dodging the two follow-ups, looking away from the swinging Texan. Simon clips Smotherman with a right hand on the temple, and he grabs hold of Smotherman in a body lock and throws him to his knees. Smotherman powers back up to his feet, but Simon is a dog with a bone as he tries to go from a double to a single to a body lock. Simon pursues a double again when the other efforts fail, and Smotherman’s defense holds up even as he is stuck against the wire. Smotherman pushes off a knee, forcing Simon to wing two punches and shoot in for a double that finally succeeds. Smotherman is placed on his seat, and Simon holds him down and keeps his arms wrapped around a single to keep him in place. Smotherman still gets back to his feet, and he shakes Simon up with an elbow. Smotherman walks him down, firing a left to the body and a right to the head. When Simon counters, Smotherman hits him with a step-in knee. Simon eats a left hook to fire one back, and his right hand gets Smotherman’s attention and tells him it will not be as easy as walking through him with heavy fists. Simon shoots hard for a single, and Smotherman responds with a ninja choke and backs himself to the fencing. Simon is completely unfazed by the submission attempt, not budging and instead pressing on Smotherman until Smotherman bails on it. Smotherman breaks out of the takedown attempt and clinch to drive a pair of lefts to the liver and temple. Simon jabs to beat him to the punch a few times, and Smotherman is winding up with everything he has with his right hand. Simon is able to intercept him when he launches those missiles, slipping the most dangerous of the punches and hitting Smotherman back. Smotherman jabs to the body with the ball of his foot, winging a left to the same spot and a right up top. Simon shrugs at him, but he got stung with the power strikes. Smotherman unloads with pure power, tagging Simon a few times and eating some responsive blows until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Simon (30-27 Simon)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (29-28 Simon)
The Official Result
Ricky Simon def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The Guru picks Ricky Simón, noting he is 'barely a favorite' and sees value. He highlights Simón's momentum from a KO win over Javid Basharat and his power in the pocket. He criticizes Smotherman's quick turnaround after a loss where he took damage, and trusts Simón's fundamentals and grappling options.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 58 of 134 | 43% | 61 of 137 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 55 of 132 | 41% | 66 of 149 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 | 0 | 4:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 22 of 43 | 51% | 25 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 27 of 50 | 54% | 28 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 11 of 39 | 28% | 21 of 55 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 24 of 62 | 38% | 24 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 0 | 17 of 43 | 39% | 17 of 43 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:58 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 58 of 134 | 43% | 43 of 114 | 15 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 53 of 124 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 55 of 132 | 41% | 30 of 98 | 15 of 22 | 10 of 12 | 49 of 122 | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 22 of 43 | 51% | 16 of 34 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 40 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 27 of 50 | 54% | 12 of 33 | 7 of 8 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 45 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 12 of 29 | 41% | 6 of 22 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 11 of 39 | 28% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 24 of 62 | 38% | 21 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 57 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Serhiy Sidey | 17 of 43 | 39% | 12 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sidey (-135), Smotherman (+114)
Round 1
Bantamweight wild men meet next, as Sidey and Smotherman face off under the supervision of referee Dan Miragliotta. Both are in orthodox stance and Smotherman creeps forward behind a high guard, as the visibly taller Sidey gives ground, sticks out a jab and lands an outside low kick. Sidey plants and throws a glancing one-two. Sidey lands a nice jab to the body. Smotherman continues to march forward at a deliberate pace, landing a nice body shot of his own. Sidey catches Smotherman with a hard leg kick. Sidey times Smotherman for a smooth as glass double-leg, but he can’t finish as he switches to a single and Smotherman hops backward on one leg all the way to the fence, where he extricates his limb and they reset in the middle of the Octagon. The bantamweights converge and throw simultaneously, both men landing in the exchange. Smotherman throws out a jab to the body, and Sidey collapses the pocket, changes levels and runs him to the fence again. Smotherman defends the takedown with ease, but as they come off the fence, Sidey lands another hard kick to Smotherman’s lead leg. With under a minute to go in the round, they have returned to the middle of the cage and Sidey is once again sliding laterally, sticking out his long jab. Sidey comes up short on a spinning back kick to the body right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 2
Smotherman marches forward to open Round 2, and Sidey meets him with a feint, then a quick single-leg that he uses to haul Smotherman to the mat near the fence. Smotherman gets back to a knee, then to his feet, with the Canadian stuck to his back. Miragliotta cautions Smotherman for grabbing the fence. A few seconds later Smotherman spins toward Sidey, and Sidey disengages, giving him room to get off the cage. Smotherman takes the center of the Octagon and advances towards Sidey, whose movement continues to give the Texan problems. Smotherman catches an errant blow, but he waves off Miragliotta’s offer of a time-out. Sidey tries for another takedown, but Smotherman sprawls and gets his hips out of danger, tagging Sidey with a glancing right hand on the break. Sidey closes the distance and grabs Smotherman as they go careening into the fence. Sidey elevates and dumps Smotherman to all fours, but he pops right back up. Sidey stays on him as he gets to a knee, then back to his feet. Sidey throws a couple of punches from behind as Smotherman stands, then hauls him back down. Smotherman gets back up quickly, but the round ends with Sidey still glued to him against the cage.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey
Round 3
Round 3 starts with a touch of gloves, marking one of the few times so far in the fight that Smotherman has been able to get a glove on his opponent that easily. They go back to work in the center of the cage and Sidey tries for a quick takedown, which Smotherman defends. Sidey is on his horse, circling away from the pursuing Smotherman, and times him for a beautiful level change. He puts Smotherman on his behind with a double-leg, and as Smotherman stands, Sidey attempts an anaconda choke. A tense sequence ensues, as Smotherman carefully returns to his feet while keeping his air and blood supplies intact, but Sidey is eventually forced to let the choke go. They return to exchanging in space with under two minutes to go, and Sidey punctuates his stick-and-move with a little more stick, sitting down on his best single punch of the fight. Sidey tries for another takedown but Smotherman is all over it, and he returns fire with a good body shot as they come back up. Smotherman is pursuing Sidey at the 10-second clapper, coming up short on a flying knee attempt, and can’t land anything of consequence before the final horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sidey (30-27 Sidey)
The Official Result
Serhiy Sidey def. Cameron Smotherman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks the underdog Cameron Smotherman, believing he can get inside Serhiy Sidey's range and win. He criticizes Sidey's reliance on height and notes that Smotherman looked good on short notice against Jake Hadley. He is not sure if he will bet on it but is confident in the pick.
Big Brady picks Serhiy Sidey, citing his length, rangy striking, body shots, toughness, and sneaky grappling. He notes that Smotherman has terrible takedown defense and questionable durability, having been knocked down by a jab and starched by Charalampos Grigoriou. Brady expects a back-and-forth war but trusts Sidey's durability and ability to mix it up. He predicts Sidey will knock out Smotherman in the third round.
Connor picks Sidey, citing his dynamic striking and ability to build rhythm under pressure. He notes that Sidey's wildness and reach advantage could disrupt Smotherman's methodical pressure. Connor points out that Smotherman's win over Hadley may have been more about Hadley's poor performance than Smotherman's excellence. He believes Sidey's unpredictability and volume will be too much for Smotherman to handle.
Sidey has a range and height advantage that will help him dictate the pace. He has been training at MMA Lab and should show improvements. I expect him to land more shots from distance and win a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Cameron Smotherman, noting his body work and forward pressure. He believes Serhiy Sidey slows down and covers up when pressured, and that Smotherman can take over in the later rounds. He predicts a 29-28 decision win for Smotherman, with momentum shifting in the second round.
Zane picks Smotherman, impressed by his improved combination punching and pressure against Jake Hadley. He believes Smotherman can replicate that performance by targeting Sidey's body and staying consistent. However, he worries that Sidey's wild, unpredictable style could throw Smotherman off his game. Zane acknowledges that Smotherman's previous wins came against opponents who offered little resistance, and Sidey is more dynamic.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 60 of 165 | 36% | 70 of 176 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:53 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 96 of 259 | 37% | 97 of 260 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 24 of 58 | 41% | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 37 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 18 of 57 | 31% | 27 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 25 of 75 | 33% | 26 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 19 of 51 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
| Jake Hadley | 0 | 34 of 105 | 32% | 34 of 105 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smotherman | 60 of 165 | 36% | 28 of 124 | 17 of 24 | 15 of 17 | 59 of 163 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 96 of 259 | 37% | 43 of 181 | 48 of 72 | 5 of 6 | 96 of 259 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameron Smotherman | 24 of 58 | 41% | 8 of 40 | 7 of 7 | 9 of 11 | 24 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 37 of 79 | 46% | 13 of 48 | 23 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 37 of 79 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Cameron Smotherman | 18 of 57 | 31% | 6 of 40 | 7 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 17 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 25 of 75 | 33% | 13 of 52 | 10 of 21 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Cameron Smotherman | 18 of 50 | 36% | 14 of 44 | 3 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jake Hadley | 34 of 105 | 32% | 17 of 81 | 15 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 34 of 105 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Smotherman (+350), Hadley (-450)
Round 1
On short notice, Hadley (11-3, 3-3 UFC) goes from taking on Brady Hiestand to welcoming Fury FC staple Smotherman (11-4, 0-0 UFC) to the Octagon. When the dust settles, one of these two bantamweights will celebrate a record in the UFC above .500. The other will fall below the even line. Referee Chris Tognoni will be the third man in the cage for this one, and he observes a glove touch as they get started. Hadley strikes first with a low kick, using it to disrupt the forward movement of his opponent. Hadley lands it again as Smotherman comes towards him, and he keeps chipping away at a safe range. Smotherman lands a jab to the body and reaches with a right hand over the top, forcing Hadley to bounce off the fencing. Smotherman connects with a right to the body and checks a kick to unload a right hand around the guard. Hadley stays composed working on the front leg of his foe, and Smotherman is measuring his right hand for it. Smotherman digs a right to the solar plexus, and he walks Hadley down throwing hands. Hadley tries to catch him first, but Smotherman’s right hand is loaded for bear. Hadley lands a kick to the ribs, and Smotherman gives him a right hand to the side to think about. Smotherman keeps attacking the body, stalking Hadley down but not getting reckless, and he just misses with a massive left hand. Smotherman opens up head shots with rights to the midsection, and Hadley keeps moving so as to not get cornered. Smotherman is devoted to body shots, and he slips a left hand over the top. Smotherman kicks his way into a punch combo, and Hadley chomps down on his gumshield and lets go with a big left. Smotherman slips a few punches, mostly targeting the body with his responses, and he scores a solid body kick while Hadley escapes. Smotherman clips Hadley with one big right hand before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman
Round 2
The round begins with Hadley leading with a few punches, and he kicks low and bangs his instep into the newcomer’s cup. Tognoni calls time as Smotherman grimaces, and Hadley apologizes profusely for the inadvertent groin kick. Smotherman asks to get going after a little under a minute, and they resume fighting by trading jabs. The two box one another, setting their big punches up in combination. Smotherman lands, Hadley hits him back and Smotherman gives him one more to think about. Smotherman knocks his man back with a short left, and Hadley steps in to drill the debutant with a sharp left hook. Smotherman blinks it out, jabs the body and comes in with a short flurry. Hadley is away before most of the strikes find their target, constantly circling to his left which is in the direction of Smotherman’s power right hand. Jabs fly out from both sides, and Smotherman is the one to successfully chain one into four more punches including a pair of body shots. Smotherman digs two more under the guard, and he puts a right hand straight on the sternum. Hadley swings back with a right hand off the temple, and Smotherman is in front of him ready to pay him back with a hooking left. They trade body shots at the same time, a rare occurrence, and when trading hands, Hadley jams his fingers into both eye sockets like Moe from “The Three Stooges.” Smotherman turns away, not thrilled by the foul one bit, and Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on him before long. Smotherman informs the physician that some Vaseline slid into his eye, causing him issues seeing. Tognoni tells Smotherman he needs to take all the time he should to recover, and not hurry back. Smotherman wipes his eye a few times with a piece of gauze, before asking for a towel to help clear his vision better. Smotherman keeps checking to see how much time he has, and he is still having a hard time seeing even after a few minutes. Smotherman informs both Tognoni and the doctor that he is still fighting, and that he is good to go after four minutes. Tognoni takes one point for the eye poke, and Hadley protests but his complaint falls in deaf ears. When they resume, Smotherman is amped up, swinging wildly until Hadley threatens with a takedown. While Hadley gets him down, Smotherman climbs back to his feet before long. Hadley presses his man against the wire, and Smotherman gets free at the sound of the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Smotherman
Round 3
There is a double clap of hands to get started, and Smotherman is as aggressive as ever, swinging his way into close range. Hadley throws back but gets backed to the wall, and he is forced to shoot in for a double. Smotherman defends against it while being pinned to the fence, and Tognoni asks for more work as Hadley is largely stalling. Smotherman bursts out of the tie-up to walk Hadley down, eating a left hand so he can let his hands go. Hadley retreats and fails to counter effectively, with a leg kick his best weapon while Smotherman marches him down. Smotherman kicks him in the side, and he throws another kick to the same spot but absorbs a flush one-two in response. Smotherman digs a left to the liver and looks for a right to the head, and Hadley has a head kick waiting for him. Smotherman loads up a bit too much on his power strikes, and Hadley beats him to the punch when evading. Smotherman pounds on the ribs from both sides, landing cleanly and stepping in to knee “White Kong” in the guts. Smotherman goes body to head and then chains a knee after one, flowing with punches and knees while Hadley’s back is up against the fence. Hadley surprises the Texan with a left hand, and Smotherman’s legs wobble briefly as he gathers himself. Hadley measures out another big left, and Smotherman wears it well this time and lets off a front kick that bounces into Hadley’s cup. Tognoni is on top of it, giving Hadley time to recover as it is now Smotherman who has to apologize. Hadley is ready after about 40 seconds, and Smotherman walks him down as soon as they resume. Smotherman shoves an uppercut through the guard, and Hadley is warned for outstretched fingers as he tries to fence off. Smotherman strings several punches together, only for Hadley to blast him in the face with heavy blows and a head kick that further makes his knees quake. Hadley swings wildly, Smotherman defends from a body kick and gives his man one final overhand right to think about before the third round comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hadley (29-27 Smotherman)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Smotherman (30-26 Smotherman)
The Official Result
Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Angelo picks Cameron Smotherman (referred to as Brady Hiestand, but the fight is Smotherman vs Hadley; likely a transcript error) because he believes Smotherman's wrestling, size, and strength will be too much for Jake Hadley. He notes Hadley's win over Ken Laramie was more about Laramie's poor performance than Hadley's skill. He thinks Smotherman's grit and takedown ability will dominate, and he expects the odds to widen further.
Big Brady picks Jake Hadley by second-round submission. He notes Smotherman has a questionable chin and non-existent takedown defense. Hadley can take him down easily and has a big BJJ advantage. He expects Hadley to make it look easy, possibly finishing by submission in the second round.
Connor also picks Hadley, emphasizing that Smotherman's lack of movement and poor defense make him a perfect opponent for Hadley's slick offensive boxing. He notes that Smotherman's only path to victory is if opponents let him pressure them, but Hadley will pour on volume and not be intimidated.
This fight was not discussed in the transcript.
Hadley has a big grappling advantage and Smotherman is taking this fight on short notice, having to cut to 135 lbs and flying from Abu Dhabi. Hadley is the better grappler and should have no problems taking the fight to the ground where Smotherman has shown issues. Look for Hadley to get a submission.
The Guru picks Smotherman (referred to as Brady Hiestand) despite acknowledging that picking against Jake Hadley often backfires. He notes Smotherman is bigger and has more experience, and expects him to lead the dance with pressure and cardio, winning a 29-28 decision by taking over in the last two rounds. He doubts Hadley's offensive grappling and sees him looking for submissions from bottom.
Zane picks Hadley, noting that Smotherman is extremely flat-footed and stands still, making him an easy target for Hadley's offensive boxing. He compares Smotherman to a statue who gets clocked when facing speed. Hadley's last fight against a similar flat-footed opponent (Caolan Loughran) went well, and this matchup is even more forgiving.
Expert Picks (16)
AJ picks Asakura (referred to as Caio Borralho in transcript, but context indicates Kai Asakura) because of his snappy kickboxing, dangerous knees, and body kicks. He notes Smotherman is a decent boxer but has no offensive grappling (zero takedowns in UFC) and had a terrible weight cut. AJ thinks Asakura's speed advantage will show and predicts a knockout, possibly via knee.
AJ picks Asakura, believing he will be reinvigorated at bantamweight after struggling with the cut to flyweight. He notes Asakura's speed, kickboxing, and knockout power will be too much for Smotherman, who is a lower-tier opponent. AJ expects a KO win, possibly in highlight-reel fashion.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura, believing his striking is superior to Smotherman's and that Smotherman won't attempt takedowns, negating Asakura's weakness. He notes Asakura is winless in the UFC but should win if he doesn't have to defend takedowns.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the better striker in a striking matchup. He notes that Cameron Smotherman has zero recorded takedown attempts in the UFC and is coming off a bad weight cut. He thinks Kai's speed and footwork will be the difference, but he is not betting due to the odds.
Angelo picks Kai Asakura because he is the superior striker and Smotherman has no takedown attempts in the UFC. He notes that Asakura's takedown defense is nonexistent, but since Smotherman doesn't wrestle, Asakura should win on the feet. He refuses to bet on Asakura at -300 due to the takedown vulnerability, but he believes Asakura will win.
Big Brady picks Asakura by first-round KO, viewing this as a massive step down in competition after Asakura's title fight debut. He notes Smotherman has a poor chin, has been knocked out multiple times, and recently fell face-first on the scale. He believes Asakura is a much better striker and grappler, and that Smotherman can't grapple, so the fight stays on the feet where Asakura has power and quick hands.
Cody picks Asakura, citing his speed and striking advantage over Smotherman. He notes Smotherman's bad weight cuts, suspect durability (KO loss in 13 seconds), and poor wrestling. Cody believes Asakura can piece him up on the feet and potentially knock him out. He also mentions that Asakura's move up to 135 may help with weight cut and speed.
Levi picks Asakura, believing he has better boxing and can knock out Smotherman. He dismisses Smotherman's UFC credentials, noting his knockout loss to Harlampos Gregorio and weight-cutting issues. Levi thinks Asakura will finally showcase his hype.
Jacob picks Kai Asakura because he should have the speed advantage and be more dynamic. He notes that Cameron Smotherman tends to plant his feet and look for counters, which could lead to inactivity. He warns that Kai should not hang out in the pocket because Cameron has power.
Lucrative James picks Kai Asakura but is not confident, calling it a 'very strange fight' and disliking the line. He notes Asakura's poor UFC performances, including submission losses, and questions his move up to bantamweight where he loses the size advantage. He sees Asakura's path via knockout due to power and speed, but worries if he doesn't get the finish, Smotherman's boxing could win rounds. He mentions Smotherman's fainting incident and chin issues but still leans Asakura as a pure pick, though he would look at props or even bet Smotherman if the line moves.
The host believes this is the most favorable matchup for Kai Asakura in the UFC, expecting him to utilize his flashy striking. Despite Smotherman's technical striking, Asakura's speed and power will be the difference, leading to a knockout.
The host picks Asakura, believing his power and speed will be too much for Smotherman. He notes Asakura is more dangerous in the knockout department and may have a speed advantage. He expects Asakura to land big shots and potentially put Smotherman away, despite Smotherman's technical edge.
Paul is tempted by Asakura but hesitant due to his age (32) and move up in weight. He notes Asakura's losses in rematches and his UFC loss to Pantoja. However, he acknowledges Smotherman's poor weight cut and durability issues, and that Asakura is the better striker. Paul leans Asakura but is not fully confident.
The Guru picks Asakura due to superior grappling and striking. He notes Asakura has good knees, combinations, and recovers quickly when hurt. Smotherman is a striker who hates grappling and has decent takedown defense but will be outmatched on the ground. Asakura should win comfortably.
The Guru picks Kai Asakura over Cameron Smotherman, citing Kai's speed and power advantage. He believes Kai's explosive striking will outclass Smotherman's volume-based boxing. He notes Smotherman's back-to-back losses and expects Kai to land the bigger shots.
The MMA Guru picks Kai Asakura to win by knockout. He notes that Asakura is a step up in competition for Smotherman, and Asakura's striking is more dynamic and powerful. He believes Asakura will keep the fight on the feet and land a knockout, as Smotherman is mostly a boxer and small for the weight class.
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