DWCS winner Elijah Smith wants to add to 135-pound history

Elijah Smith thinks there’s no higher division within the UFC presently than bantamweight, and he’s eager to make his mark in it.

Smith (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is without doubt one of the latest members of the UFC roster after incomes a contract on this previous Tuesday’s episode of Dana White’s Contender Collection. He earned a unanimous decision win over Aaron Tau within the featured bout of the cardboard, which he took on roughly two weeks’ discover as a alternative.

It was a historic win for Smith, grew to become he’s the second, second-generation fighter to join the UFC roster after his father, Gilbert Smith, made one octagon look in 2013.

At simply 22, the longer term for Smith appears shiny. He mentioned his displaying at DWCS 72 was solely a portion of what he’s able to, and he did it beneath unideal circumstances.

“I used to be not even near one hundred pc,” Smith advised MMA Junkie. “I might say I in all probability went into that battle like 70, 75 p.c. I play UFC 5 (online game) and I’ve my very own created participant and within the recreation in profession you will have weeks you’re imagined to undergo coaching camp so if you get to the battle you will have one hundred pc vitality and well being is nice. I in all probability went into that battle in all probability round 75 p.c, so I didn’t get to point out the world and Dana White the complete Elijah Smith. I used to be joyful I acquired to placed on a efficiency that I used to be pleased with.”

Now that he’s been inked to a UFC contract, there’s going to be nowhere for Smith to cover within the 135-pound division. He likes it that manner, he mentioned, as a result of it received’t be lengthy earlier than we seen if his standing as a blue chip prospect multiplies.

Smith has expectations of greatness for his profession, and mentioned he’s already excited for the day he will get to share the octagon with a few of the elite names.

“It’s actually thrilling,” Smith mentioned. “I wouldn’t need to be in another weight class as a result of that is essentially the most thrilling within the UFC. I’ve been watching these guys since – who actually made me turn out to be a fan of the division is T.J. Dillashaw. When he beat (Renan) Barao I used to be like, ‘Oh man.’ Then he beat Cody Garbrandt twice, I’m like, ‘That is the division to be in.’ You’ve acquired Dominick Cruz. There’s a lot historical past on this division and I need to add onto this historical past.

“I need to maintain constructing as a result of I believe that is the perfect division within the UFC. After I see guys like Merab (Dvalishvili) and Sean O’Malley and (Cory) Sandhagen and all these guys within the high 10, high 5. It’s like, we’re going to run into one another sooner or later in time. It’s going to be bittersweet combating them as a result of I’m a fan of all of them, however it’s a enterprise.”

It’s Smith’s intention to construct himself as much as being top-of-the-line on the planet, and with that create a narrative for himself that stands on his personal. Smith mentioned he’s presently relishing the historic nature of his UFC entry and the way it ties to his father, however over time, he hopes that fades and he’s checked out as a person.

“I’m able to create my very own story,” Smith mentioned. “They’re at all times going to convey that up as a result of my dad goes to be in my nook each battle that I’ve within the UFC and I believe they’re going to constantly convey that up, however as I proceed on with my profession, I believe that’s slowly going to die out as a result of I might be creating a reputation for myself. There’s nothing improper with residing on my father’s shadow and carrying alone identify, however I do need to begin veering off and creating a reputation for myself and my very own story.”