UFC bantamweight Elijah Smith put the division on notice at UFC Vegas 109.
Few fans knew what to expect from Saturday’s UFC Vegas 109 card headlined by Roman Dolidze vs. Anthony Hernandez. Luckily, the card delivered plenty of highlight-reel finishes, including a rare slam knockout.
UFC bantamweight Elijah Smith, the son of former fighter Gilbert Smith, faced another Octagon test against Toshiomi Kazama at UFC Vegas 109. The bantamweight matchup was one of several high-profile bouts on the UFC Vegas 109 prelims.
After a decisive win in his promotional debut in February, Smith didn’t need long to earn his first UFC finish.
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Henry Cejudo reacts to Elijah Smith’s ‘historic’ KO at UFC Vegas 109
With under a minute left in the first round against Kazama, Smith hoisted Kazama over his head with an inside triangle before slamming him on the back of his head. Kazama immediately went unconscious as Smith celebrated his first UFC stoppage.
Kazama was immediately rushed to the hospital following UFC Vegas 109. As of this writing, the UFC hasn’t provided a medical update on the 11-5 bantamweight.
Smith proved himself the latest in a slew of top-tier talents in the stacked bantamweight division. After watching Smith’s performance, one former bantamweight champion might be forced to make a drastic career change.
In a recent post to X, former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo reacted to Smith’s highlight-reel KO.
“That was one of the best slams in UFC history!” Cejudo posted.
“Elijah Smith is a PROBLEM in the bantamweight division.
“Considering a move back to flyweight after tonight.”
Referee Chris Tognoni came under fire for his perceived late stoppage in the Smith vs. Kazama fight. After getting slammed on his head, Kazama suffered multiple ground-and-pound punches from Smith before Tognoni stepped in to stop the action.
Cejudo hasn’t fought since a technical decision loss to Song Yadong in the UFC Seattle main event earlier this year. He’s teased a return to flyweight, as well as a move to the featherweight division, in recent years since returning from retirement.
As for what’s next for Smith, he’s riding a seven-fight win streak and could face a veteran bantamweight for his next fight. Elsewhere at UFC Vegas 109, a UFC Hall of Famer correctly forecasted a knockout finish just seconds before it came to fruition.
Daniel Cormier predicted UFC Vegas 109 KO just seconds before it happened
Daniel Cormier, on the broadcast desk for UFC Vegas 109, predicted a second-round knockout for Joselyne Edwards against Priscila Cachoeira just seconds before it happened. After Cachoeira was visibly wobbled going back to her corner in between rounds, she kept her hands low at the start of Round 2, leading to a brutal KO by Edwards.
The UFC Vegas 109 prelims kicked off with a head-scratching split decision between middleweights Cody Brundage and Eric McConico. McConico earned his first UFC victory, albeit in controversial fashion.
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