Davey Grant and Louis Smolka threw down in their main card scrap at UFC Vegas 54 with Grant finishing Smolka in the final round.
England’s Davey Grant entered his bantamweight contest against Louis Smolka at UFC Vegas 54 looking to extend his bonus-winning streak to five.
Four consecutive post-fight bonuses had seen Grant win two Performance of the Night bonuses, and two Fight of the Nights. Smolka, who had been trading wins and losses since returning to the UFC in 2018, was looking to bounce back from a loss to Vince Morales.
It was a kick-heavy attack for Grant to start the fight, which was an interesting strategy considering Smolka’s grappling aptitude. Nevertheless, Grant was landing to both the legs and body of Smolka early on then went up top with a combination. Grant’s pace was keeping Smolka from establishing a rhythm, with Smolka failing on a takedown attempt. A big right hand connected for Grant and Smolka recovered quickly. Grant was not allowing Smolka to have any breathing room, sneaking in a body kick underneath the guard. Grant then connected with a spinning backfist and Smolka fired back with a knee. After a few combinations were blocked, a jab knocked Smolka down. Grant tried to pursue a finish, but Smolka slowed him down with a leg lock effort. Grant stood up before the round came to an end.
Grant went away from his kicks in round two and was instead throwing looping hooks. Smolka landed a solid straight punch, but Grant continued to fire away attempting to sneak behind the guard of Smolka. Smolka landed a big left hook and threw a lengthy combination of his own. The punches continued to fly from Grant, who was bloodied up by Smolka’s strikes. Smolka began finding more success as the fight went on, landing at a very high percentage through Grant’s constant pressure. Grant threw a spinning hook kick and Smolka turned it into a takedown and a submission attempt that Grant was able to get out of prior to the end of the round.
The scrap continued in the final round. A leg kick wobbled Smolka, who tried to roll for a submission after realizing he couldn’t stand anymore. Grant avoided the attempt from Smolka and hit him with a few shots that knocked him out, ending the fight in the third.
Davey Grant def. Louis Smolka by KO (Ground-and-Pound) in Round 3 (0:49)
