UFC Vegas 109: Elijah Smith reacts to slam KO in honor of ‘Rampage’
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.
LAS VEGAS – Elijah Smith met the media Saturday after his knockout win over Toshiomi Kazama at UFC on ESPN 72.
Smith (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) delivered one of the most devastating knockouts in UFC history on the prelims at the UFC Apex when he slammed Kazama (11-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) to the canvas in the first round and knocked him out cold.
Kazama was out for several minutes and ultimately was transported to a trauma center for evaluation before after the loss. He eventually got the all clear, but now will have to move on with his career knowing that highlight with him on the wrong end will live on in MMA highlight reels probably forever.
Smith said he once got advice from his dad in a jiu-jitsu tournament – when he wasn’t able to slam his way out of a choke.
“My dad always told me, ‘If this was a fight, you definitely could have slammed (him) and shook a honey iced tea out of him,” Smith said at his post-fight news conference. “This time, I finally had the opportunity to do it. I can’t do it against training partners – I love my guys. But when it’s somebody random you don’t know and everything is on the line – on yeah: You about to get slammed. You about to get slammed on your dome piece.”
And that’s precisely what Smith did to Kazama. Not surprisingly, he took home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus – and though there are plenty of fights left, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be at the top of the list when Knockout of the Year honors are doled out.
The slam drew instant comparison’s to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s 2004 slam in Pride, and Jackson saw it and gave Smith his flowers. Smith, the son of former UFC fighter Gilbert Smith, was the biggest betting favorite on the card at more than 8-1.
Now that he’s got such a showcase win on his record with an eternal highlight, Smith said he hopes he can fight somewhere other than the Apex next time. He had his DWCS fight there, and both his UFC wins. He thinks if his slam would’ve come in an arena, his star would be rising even faster.
“I’m trying to get on the T-Mobile (Arena in Las Vegas), (Madison Square Garden), something (bigger),” Smith said. “I’m trying to get out in the fans. If we were in front of 20,000 people, the whole arena would be going crazy (from my knockout), probably still.
“Hopefully this will be the one that gets me out of the Apex. If not, I’m all fine – just as long as my pay goes up.”
Check out Smith’s post-fight news conference in the video above.
