Cameron Smotherman Wins UFC Debut on Short Notice
Cameron Smotherman took a short-notice UFC debut after a Tuesday call in Saudi Arabia, then beat Jake Hadley by unanimous decision on October 19, 2024.
A call from Saudi Arabia
On the Tuesday before UFC Vegas 99, Smotherman was in Saudi Arabia cornering teammate Raufeon Stots when the UFC called about a short-notice fight with Jake Hadley. He accepted and traveled to Las Vegas for the Saturday card. The UFC later described it as a call that came less than a week before his debut. UFC’s profile of Smotherman recounts the trip and his reaction to the opportunity.
The offer followed a difficult stretch. Smotherman had lost to Charalampos Grigoriou by first-round TKO on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2023. By the time the UFC called, he had won three straight fights, including two finishes. The official Contender Series results list the loss to Grigoriou.
The UFC debut against Jake Hadley
Smotherman and Hadley fought three rounds in a bantamweight bout at UFC APEX in Las Vegas on October 19, 2024. The judges awarded Smotherman a unanimous decision: 30–26, 29–27 and 29–27. Hadley was deducted a point for eye pokes in the second round, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission’s official event results. UFC’s event report confirms the decision and scores.
It was Smotherman’s first UFC fight and first UFC victory. In his post-fight interview, he spoke about the emotion of reaching the Octagon after doubting himself following the Contender Series loss. The win extended his streak to four, turning a last-minute call into his first UFC success. His interview remains embedded above.
Sources
- UFC: Smotherman’s short-notice call, trip from Saudi Arabia and reflections after his debut
- UFC: UFC Vegas 99 results and judges’ scores
- Nevada Athletic Commission: Official UFC APEX results and Hadley point deduction
- UFC: Contender Series result against Charalampos Grigoriou
