Jacobe Smith: I'll Outwrestle Islam Makhachev

Jacobe Smith says he could out-wrestle Islam Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound lightweight king, ahead of his own bout at UFC Vegas 123. "I've wrestled with Islam [Makhachev], and I will outwrestle him," Smith said.

Smith is unbeaten in the UFC welterweight division at 4-0, with all four of those wins coming by finish. He is not shy about where he thinks that run is headed. "[I'm] close to 10 steps ahead of these dudes," he said.

Why Jacobe Smith Is Talking About Islam Makhachev

Smith's comments stand out because Makhachev is not his opponent at UFC Vegas 123 or anywhere on his current docket. The claim centers on a past wrestling exchange between the two, not a scheduled matchup, and invoking the UFC's most dominant current champion is a quick way for a rising fighter to get noticed. For a welterweight sitting at 4-0 with four finishes, that kind of statement also frames his own progress against the highest possible bar rather than just letting the record speak for itself.

What a Perfect UFC Record Means for Smith's Stock

A 4-0 UFC run with finishes in every outing is the kind of resume matchmakers and bettors both notice. Each finish suggests Smith's output isn't just about surviving rounds, it's about ending fights, and that tends to speed up a prospect's path up the welterweight ladder. For sportsbooks, a perfect finishing streak usually means shorter odds and tougher styles thrown his way as the promotion tests where his ceiling really is. Confidence like Smith's is common among undefeated young fighters, but his is backed by a finish rate that so far hasn't needed a decision to get the job done.

Betting Angle

Smith's unbeaten, finish-heavy start at welterweight is the kind of profile that typically sees its odds shorten as a fighter's name grows, especially once he's tested against a more established opponent. Until that step-up fight materializes, bettors should treat the bold talk about Makhachev as a confidence marker rather than anything that moves a line. The real test of his stock comes the moment the UFC puts him across the cage from someone closer to the top of the division.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Jacobe Smith say about Islam Makhachev?

Jacobe Smith said he has wrestled with Islam Makhachev and believes he would out-wrestle him, ahead of Smith's own fight at UFC Vegas 123.

What is Jacobe Smith's UFC record?

Jacobe Smith is 4-0 in the UFC welterweight division, with all four of his wins coming by finish.

Is Jacobe Smith fighting Islam Makhachev?

No, Islam Makhachev is not Jacobe Smith's opponent. Smith's remarks about out-wrestling Makhachev referred to a past wrestling exchange, not a scheduled fight.