DWCS winner Elijah Smith needs so as to add to 135-pound historical past

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 likely 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 choice 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, turned he’s the second, second-generation fighter to hitch 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 stated his exhibiting at DWCS 72 was solely a portion of what he’s able to, and he did it underneath 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 combat like 70, 75 %. I play UFC 5 (online game) and I’ve my very own created participant and within the recreation in profession you might have weeks you’re speculated to undergo coaching camp so once you get to the combat you might have one hundred pc vitality and well being is sweet. I in all probability went into that combat in all probability round 75 %, so I didn’t get to point out the world and Dana White the total Elijah Smith. I used to be pleased I acquired to placed on a efficiency that I used to be proud of.”

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 means, he stated, as a result of it gained’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 stated 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 stated. “I wouldn’t need to be in some other weight class as a result of that is probably the most thrilling within the UFC. I’ve been watching these guys since – who actually made me grow 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 feel that is one of the best division within the UFC. After I see guys like Merab (Dvalishvili) and Sean O’Malley and (Cory) Sandhagen and all these guys within the prime 10, prime 5. It’s like, we’re going to run into one another sooner or later in time. It’s going to be bittersweet preventing them as a result of I’m a fan of all of them, nevertheless it’s a enterprise.”

It’s Smith’s intention to construct himself as much as being top-of-the-line on the earth, and with that create a narrative for himself that stands on his personal. Smith stated 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 stated. “They’re all the time going to carry that up as a result of my dad goes to be in my nook each combat that I’ve within the UFC and I feel they’re going to constantly carry that up, however as I proceed on with my profession, I feel that’s slowly going to die out as a result of I will probably be creating a reputation for myself. There’s nothing improper with dwelling on my father’s shadow and carrying by myself title, however I do need to begin veering off and creating a reputation for myself and my very own story.”