Jacobe Smith made a statement at UFC Houston on Saturday night, earning an impressive victory over previously unbeaten prospect Josiah Harrell. With the win, Smith not only protected his momentum but also handed the previously undefeated Harrell the first loss of his professional career.
Smith (12-0) said Harrell’s approach and physicality didn’t come as a surprise once the fight got underway. While he acknowledged his opponent’s strength, he believed that style ultimately worked to his advantage over the course of the bout.
“Everything he brought I expected it. He was stronger than I expected him to be,” Smith told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“I knew it was going to play into his weakness because you can’t be wasting energy or straining like that in these UFC fights. Lesson learned for him I guess.”
Smith was also asked about the timing of the stoppage following the finishing sequence. Confident in the impact of the strikes he landed, he left little doubt about how he felt the ending played out.
“If anything I might have got one or two shots in, but it was stopped pretty accordingly. I got hands of f*cking stone. He felt it,” he said.
“Im bout to get that bonus!”
When asked whether he believes he can hang with the top names at 170 pounds, Smith didn’t hesitate in his response. Drawing from his early training experiences, he expressed confidence in how far his game has come since turning pro.
“I dont think, I know. When I first started fighting back in 2021 I was out in AKA, San Jose, and one of my training partners was Islam Makhachev,” he said.
“I know where I stand and I was nowhere near what I am now. So I know. I know i can compete.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Jacobe Smith above.