Making a rather impressive trip for his short-notice UFC debut on Saturday was Cameron Smotherman, who stepped into UFC Vegas 99 to replace Brady Hiestand against Jake Hadley.
Smotherman had been in Saudi Arabia to help Raufeon Stots for his PFL Battle of the Giants fight against Marcos Breno. After getting the call on short notice to face Hadley, Smotherman hopped on a plane back to Las Vegas in time to weigh in for the bantamweight Fight on Friday.
Win or lose, Smotherman at least had his foot in the door with the UFC.
In the first round, both fighters were trading short shots but nothing significant landed. Smotherman was the one pressuring but both guys were patient in their approach. Smotherman was doing well with his hands and Hadley was focused on the lead leg kick. Smotherman was clean with his hands with short combos and going to the body more as the round went on. Hadley was having trouble putting it together outside of the inside leg kick. Smotherman was going forward the entire round and was letting his hands go when he got Hadley against the cage. A quiet good opening round from Smotherman as he ended it with a slick combination ending with a body kick.
Into round two Smotherman was active again with the punches to the body. Hadley was confident boxing with Smotherman thus far but Smotherman was the fasted striker. As Hadley would start to inch his way back in the fight Smotherman would land a good combination to the head-body. Hadley was picking up his pace with the jab but wasn’t stringing together combinations. Another foul from Hadley landed as he pocked Smotherman in the eye. That being now three fouls against Hadley, a point was finally taken. The point taken sparked some urgency behind Hadley as he shot in for a single leg after a barrage of punches. Smotherman defended well fighting the underhooks, and eventually got off the cage at the bell.
In the final round a heated clash of punches was initiated by Smotherman. He was super aggressive letting his hands go even though he was confidently up in the fight. To slow it down Hadley attempted a takedown against the cage but didn’t get it. Smotherman was still pressing forwards with rights and lefts walking Hadley down. Hadley did land a left hand that slowed down the forward pressure of Smotherman. Not too much as Smotherman continued to be the one coming forward.
Smotherman actively went to the body which has been a big weapon for him in the fight. As the round was ticking away Smotherman acted as if he needed the finish. He was pressing Hadley against the cage and landing combinations. Hadley would get some respect back at times but it was one shot at a time. With under a minute left Hadley did seem to stun Smotherman in an exchange but it was too little too late.
Official Result: Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
