LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 19: Cameron Smotherman punches England’s Jake Hadley in a bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Cameron Smotherman made his impromptu UFC debut on Saturday, replacing Brady Hiestand at UFC Vegas 99 against Jake Hadley, and had quite an impressive journey.
Smotherman was in Saudi Arabia to help Raufion Stotts with his PFL Battle of the Giants vs. Marcos Breno. Smotherman got the call to fight Hadley on short notice and hopped on a plane back to Las Vegas in time for Friday’s weigh-in for the bantamweight bout.
Win or lose, Smotherman at least has a door in the UFC.
In the first round, both fighters traded short shots, but nothing of note was landed. Smotherman was applying the pressure, but both players were patient in their approach. Smotherman used his hands well and Hadley focused on lead leg kicks. Smotherman used his hands cleanly with short combos, moving toward the body as the rounds progressed. Hadley was having trouble getting it together outside of inside leg kicks. Smotherman stayed in front throughout the round and let go when he pinned Hadley against the cage. A quiet good opening round for Smotherman, finishing with a smooth combination that ended with a body kick.
Going into the second round, Smotherman became active again with punches to the body. Hadley had previously felt confident boxing Smotherman, but Smotherman was a starved striker. As Hadley began to gradually retreat from the fight, Smotherman landed good combinations to the head and body. Hadley was picking up the pace with his jab but wasn’t stringing together any combinations. Another foul by Hadley hit Smotherman when he poked him in the eye. Three fouls against Hadley finally led to the point. The loss created tension behind Hadley, and he landed a single-leg shot after a barrage of punches. Smotherman defended the fight well with Underhook and eventually climbed off the cage at the bell.
In the final round, Smotherman began a heated exchange of punches. Even though he was confident going into the fight, he was very willing to let go. To slow it down, Hadley attempted a takedown against the cage, but couldn’t get it. Smotherman was still advancing, pushing Hadley down with his right and left. Hadley landed a left hand to slow Smotherman’s forward pressure. There wasn’t much, as Smotherman kept coming forward.
Smotherman was physically active, which is a big weapon for him in battle. As the rounds ticked down, Smotherman acted as if he needed a finish. He was pressuring Hadley against the cage and landing combination. Hadley occasionally regained respect, but it was one shot at a time. With less than a minute left, Hadley appeared to stun Smotherman in the exchange, but it was too little too late.
Official Results: Cameron Smotherman def. Jake Hadley by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
