UFC welterweight prospect Jacobe Smith, undefeated ahead of his co-main event at UFC Fight Night, linked his start in fighting to a violent childhood altercation and described his family’s history of escalation.
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Undefeated UFC welterweight prospect Jacobe Smith will step into the Octagon as part of the co-main event at UFC Fight Night this weekend against veteran Randy Brown, and he says his path to fighting was shaped early by what he experienced growing up.
Smith recalled being a middle-school student outside his childhood home when an older neighbour argued with his mother. He said the neighbour told his mother, “Shut up, [bitch],” and that he ran over and struck him after seeing a stump nearby. Smith described watching the neighbour fall in the yard and said, “I thought, ‘I’m going to fight in the UFC when I’m older.’”
In describing how that moment affected him, Smith said it “changed” him, adding he believed the neighbour had previously bullied his older cousin, which he connected to why he reacted the way he did.
Smith also spoke about his family background and a past incident involving his parents outside a nightclub, which he said nearly turned deadly. He claimed that during a confrontation, his mother “reached over him and stabbed the dude in the chest,” and that “it could have been on the side of his heart and killed him,” before “a big fight broke out.”
While Smith said he understands his mother’s actions could have ended in tragedy, he also framed the comparison between her intensity and his own control in the cage. He said he “get[s] angry” and feels “rage,” but added, “I can’t see myself losing it like that,” noting he does not carry a knife. Smith said, “When I’m in the cage, I’ll do whatever it takes,” describing his approach as wrestling, choking and knockouts.
On the mat, Smith described his development as a blend of natural aggression and a wrestling foundation. He said he earned NCAA Division I All-American honours at Oklahoma State before transitioning to mixed martial arts, and he has built a reputation as a complete fighter with striking and submissions.
Smith also addressed his ongoing feud with welterweight veteran Kevin Holland, describing it as something that has deteriorated into a private back-and-forth through direct messages. Smith said he found the situation upsetting and argued that Holland accepted a scheduled matchup without real intention of following through.
Smith said direct contact between them followed his most recent knockout, claiming he messaged Holland with, “I want you next, boy.” He then said their exchanges moved toward hostility, adding: “If I see him, I’m bound to smack him in the face, outside of the cage. I don’t like the dude. I’m not shying away from that.”
Beyond his UFC matchup, Smith said a training change played a role in recent months. He described leaving Fortis MMA in Dallas with a “small group” of teammates after “behind-the-scenes disagreements with the gym’s leadership,” saying teammates started their own gym after conflicts with coaching and other issues.
He also explained that he has worked with training partner Geoff Neal and does part of his fight camps with him, while noting that he initially built his career in California. Smith said he trained under Daniel Cormier at the American Kickboxing Academy, but returned home because the cost became too high.
Smith described Cormier as a significant influence and recalled advice he received about fame. He said Cormier told him, “Live in the moment and never take anything for granted,” including a warning that people eventually stop seeking autographs, and that athletes should “get home peacefully.”
Looking ahead to what a win could mean, Smith said he has not received a direct guarantee of a ranked opponent but described conversations with matchmakers and Cormier as giving him optimism. He said he could see a Top 15 opponent, and “potentially, with the talks that I’ve been having” a Top 5 matchup as well.
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