Finishing the Fight: UFC Vegas 18 — Striker’s Delight

Devonte Smith vs Julian Erosa, UFC Denver
Devonte Smith vs. Julian Erosa Credit: Mike Straus/Cageside Press

Devonte “King Kage” Smith (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC)

Total Number of Pro MMA Finishes: 10

Via KO/TKO:  9

Via Submission: 1

Total Number of UFC Finishes: 0

Via KO/TKO: 2

(Julian Erosa, Dong Hyun Ma)

Via Submission: 0

Devonte Smith is a Dana White’s Contender Series alum that was on the show’s 2018 season.

Smith’s first round KO of Joseph Lowry, with his elbows when he shot in for a takedown, was absolutely brutal and earned him a contract with the UFC. Smith has real one punch KO power in his hands and a simple 1-2 combination has sent a lot of his opponents to the canvas.

Smith has six first round stoppages with his striking (almost all of them via punches save for the one just mentioned) but also has a 3rd and 4th round TKO on his record signifying that he holds his power late into the fight.

Devonte burst on the scene after his Contender series fight and scored a first round KO against Julian Erosa and then a first round TKO against Dong Hyun Ma.

Despite a disappointing showing in his last outing, in the form of a first round TKO loss to Khama Worthy on just four days notice, Smith is looking to get back in the win column with in a big way at UFC Vegas 18.