UFC Welterweight: Jacobe Smith sets his sights on top contenders

Jacobe Smith enters the UFC Fight Night card on Saturday as the co-main event, facing veteran Randy Brown on short notice. The welterweight prospect has spent his career beating older opponents, a pattern that began long before he signed his professional contract. Smith, who is currently undefeated, views this bout as a stepping stone toward the top of the division.

Smith traces his fighting instinct to a memory from sixth grade. He was outside his home when a high school senior neighbor argued with his mother. The man called Smith's mother a name that triggered an immediate reaction. Smith jumped off a stump and struck the teenager, knocking him to the yard. The fight ended with the older boy rolling on the ground. Smith told CBS Sports that the moment changed him, and he decided then that he would fight in the UFC.

His family background supports that early aggression. Smith said his father was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and competed in tough-man fighting competitions, earning as much as $20,000 in a single night. His mother played volleyball in the Junior Olympics and was known for her quick temper. Smith recalled an incident outside a nightclub where his mother reached over his father to stab a man in the chest during a verbal dispute. Smith said he inherited that willingness to escalate from his mother, though he keeps his anger controlled inside the cage.

Smith pairs that natural aggression with a strong wrestling foundation. He earned NCAA Division I All-American honors at Oklahoma State before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He trained under Daniel Cormier at the American Kickboxing Academy in California but returned home due to the high cost of living. Cormier remains a key mentor, advising Smith to live in the moment because public attention is fleeting.

Recently, Smith left Fortis MMA in Dallas after disagreements with the gym's leadership. He and a small group of teammates started their own gym. Smith maintains a close training relationship with former Fortis partner Geoff Neal, flying to Washington, D.C., for part of his camp when needed.

Smith has also developed a public feud with welterweight Kevin Holland. The two were previously scheduled to fight, but the matchup fell through. Smith said he contacted Holland after his last knockout to request a rematch, and their communication turned personal. Smith said he does not shy away from the animosity and is ready to address the situation if they cross paths outside the Octagon.

The promotion appears to be moving Smith toward higher-profile opponents. While Smith has not received a written guarantee, he said conversations with matchmakers and Cormier suggest a Top 15 or even Top 5 contender is next. He believes his recent performance puts him in a strong position for that opportunity.