Latest news with #ElijahSmith
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC on ESPN 72: Elijah Smith post-fight interview
UFC on ESPN 72 winner Elijah Smith talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his slam knockout of Toshiomi Kazama in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Best prospect in MMA? Elijah Smith made 'statement' with slam KO at UFC Vegas 109
Elijah Smith reacts to scoring the 15th slam knockout in UFC history on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 72 in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC on ESPN 72 video: Every Vegas finish – including the slam to end all slams
The UFC saw four first-round finishes in the span of five fights Saturday, but one of them stood out in a big way. At UFC on ESPN 72 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Elijah Smith was dealing with pesky arm and leg submission attempts from Toshiomi Kazama in the first round of their fight on the prelims. Then he turned the tables – possibly in an all-time way. Historically, when fighters try to slam their way out of chokes or other submission holds, they tend to wind up making their dilemma even more perilous. So Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) might have been taking a chance when he elevated Kazama (11-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) to set up for a slam. But the force of Smith's slam, which included pressure from his hand on Kazama's face on the way down, put the Japanese fighter out cold – and motionless on the canvas for a few minutes. There was genuine concern for the fighter given how his head and neck hit the canvas, and he was transported to a trauma center for evaluation – and an eventual all-clear, fortunately – after the loss. Check out Smith's bonus-winning finish above, plus the other stoppages from UFC on ESPN 72. UFC on ESPN 72 finishes Anthony Hernandez def. Roman Dolidze via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 4, 2:45 Christian Leroy Duncan def. Eryk Anders via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:53 Elijah Smith def. Toshiomi Kazama via knockout (slam) – Round 1, 4:10 Joselyne Edwards def. Priscila Cachoeira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:24 Uros Medic def. Gilbert Urbina via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:03 This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC on ESPN 72 video: Elijah Smith slam, more knockouts, submissions
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Rampage' Jackson reacts to Elijah Smith recreating iconic slam KO at UFC on ESPN 72
Quinton Jackson was, like many, in awe of Elijah Smith's incredible slam knockout at UFC on ESPN 72. Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)) delivered arguably the greatest slam finish in UFC history Saturday when he attempted to put Toshiomi Kazama (11-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) through the mat in the opening round of their bantamweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The way Smith hoisted Kazama out of a triangle choke position and into the air, put his arm across the face then slammed him into the mat before landing a couple vicious and unnecessary shots looked eerily similar to a famous finish from former UFC light heavyweight champion "Rampage" Jackson. Jackson produced arguably the most famous slam finish in MMA history under the now-defunct PRIDE FC banner in June 2004. A nearly identical sequence occurred in his "Critical Countdown 2004" matchup with Ricardo Arona in a highlight that has been played endlessly since. Many have tried to mimic "Rampage" throughout the years, but nothing has came as close as what Smith pulled off, and the man himself could only give praise to what the 22-year-old prospect pulled off (via Instagram): The respect between Jackson and Smith was mutual in the aftermath of his knockout win. Smith said he watched the Arona win many times over the years, and tipped his cap to the UFC legend after the viral result. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 'Rampage' Jackson reacts to UFCs Elijah Smith recreating epic slam KO
News.com.au
10-08-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Fighter knocked out cold in sickening UFC powerbomb
MMA commentators have been left in shock as Toshiomi Kazama was knocked out cold at UFC Vegas 109 on Sunday. The 28-year-old was the victim of a sickening 'power bomb' knockout during the first round of his fight against bantamweight Elijah Smith. Smith executed a textbook triangle hold defence before lifting Kazama into the air and slamming him back onto the Octagon floor. With his hands locked up, Kazama was defenceless as Smith bounced his head off the UFC Apex surface. Smith then finished it off with a right hand punch that again smashed Kazama's head into the floor. Kazama immediately went unconscious and medical staff rushed into the Octagon to treat him. You can watch the devastating KO in the video player above. Kazama stayed down on the ground for several minutes before he eventually started moving and he was immediately taken to a local Las Vegas hospital for treatment. In an extraordinary update, Dr. Jeff Davidson said Kazama underwent a CT scan, but has been cleared of any serious injury. According to the UFC broadcast, he is expected to be released from the hospital and will return home with no further treatment required. It was a much more enjoyable card for Aussie Steve Erceg. The flyweight fighter was dominant in winning via a unanimous judges decision in his fight against Ode Osbourne. The Aussie was awarded the fight by the judges (29-28 x 3). 'I had his back in the second (round) ... I mean, I thought I won,' Erceg told the ESPN broadcast post-fight. 'All I was thinking was 'man, you're tough as, people get dropped all the time'. It's about how you finish, and I wanted to make a statement about how tough I am.'
