Fighting in the UFC runs in two families following Saturday night’s event at the Apex in Las Vegas.
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture is one of the greatest to ever do it as a multiple time heavyweight and light heavyweight champion.
When ‘The Natural’ called time on his career following his final outing inside the Octagon at UFC 129 in 2011, his legacy was already assured.
Looking to carry on the Couture name at the highest level of the sport was one of his three children, Ryan Couture, who debuted in the UFC two years after his father made his final walk.
For a long time, Ryan Couture was the one and only second-generation fighter in the history of the MMA leader but that record was finally broken on February 15 in the fight capital of the world.
Elijah Smith becomes the second second-generation fighter in UFC history with his father in his corner
22-year-old prospect Elijah Smith made his UFC debut on Saturday night where he defeated Vince Morales via a unanimous decision.
The 8-1 bantamweight earned his spot on the roster via an impressive showing on Dana White’s Contender Series last September where he became the first person to beat New Zealand’s Aaron Tau.
Smith made history at the Apex by following in the footsteps of his father, Gilbert Smith, who was in his corner for his son’s UFC debut which saw them join Ryan and Randy Couture in the history books.
Gilbert only competed once in the Octagon where he was submitted by Bubba McDaniel after being a part of the cast for The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 where he was a member of Jon Jones’ team.
He later returned to the show in 2017 for The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption (Season 25) where he got another shot in the Octagon as a part of TJ Dillashaw’s team.
After accumulating a pro record of 13-6, the 43-year-old is now passing on his experience to his son who has certainly turned some heads in his recent fights.
Elijah Smith looks to be an exciting addition to the bantamweight division
Elijah Smith appears to be much more than a trivia question answer on second-generation UFC fighters.
He may have gone to back-to-back decisions but it can’t be overlooked that he is facing tough opposition in both Aaron Tau and Vince Morales.
The fight was a close back-and-forth contest at UFC Vegas 102 with Smith taking the first and third rounds on all three scorecards to earn his first win inside the Octagon.
It also appears that the Couture and Smith families will soon be joined by a third second-generation competitor in the near future after it was announced that Kennedy Freeman, the daughter of former heavyweight and UK pioneer Ian Freeman, has signed with the promotion.