UFC's Jacobe Smith Confident He Can Compete With Welterweight Elite

Undefeated fighter believes training with Islam Makhachev has prepared him to face top-ranked opponents.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Jacobe Smith, an undefeated UFC welterweight with a 12-0 record, believes he can compete with the elite fighters in the division. Smith credits his early training days with two-division UFC champion Islam Makhachev for giving him the confidence to take on the best at 170 pounds. After finishing his last opponent in the first round, Smith called out Kevin Holland, though that fight won't happen immediately as Holland is already booked. Smith says he's ready to prove himself against the top 15-20 welterweights and work his way to a title shot.

Why it matters

Smith's confidence in his abilities, forged through training with an elite fighter like Makhachev, could signal the arrival of a new contender in the UFC welterweight division. As the promotion looks to build new stars, an undefeated prospect like Smith who believes he can hang with the division's best is an intriguing storyline to follow.

The details

Jacobe Smith (12-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has finished all of his opponents since joining the UFC in 2021. He credits his early training days at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, where he trained alongside UFC champion Islam Makhachev, for giving him the belief that he can compete with the elite welterweights. In his most recent fight at UFC Fight Night 267, Smith earned a first-round TKO victory over Josiah Harrell. During his post-fight interview, Smith called out Kevin Holland, though that fight won't happen immediately as Holland is already booked to face Randy Brown. Smith says he's ready to take on the top 15-20 welterweights to prove himself and work his way to a title shot.

  • Jacobe Smith joined the UFC in 2021.
  • Smith earned a first-round TKO victory over Josiah Harrell at UFC Fight Night 267 on February 23, 2026.

The players

Jacobe Smith

An undefeated UFC welterweight with a 12-0 record, who believes he can compete with the elite fighters in the division.

Islam Makhachev

A two-division UFC champion who was one of Smith's training partners early in his career at AKA in San Jose.

Kevin Holland

A UFC welterweight who Smith called out after his recent victory, though that fight won't happen immediately as Holland is already booked to face another opponent.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think, I know (I can compete against the elite welterweights). I mean, when I first started fighting back in 2021, I was out in AKA San Jose, and one of my training partners was Islam Makhachev, and them. I know where I stand, and I was nowhere near what I am now. So, I know I can compete.”

— Jacobe Smith, UFC Fighter (Cageside Press)

“I called out Kevin Holland, but they said he was scheduled. So, there's others up there in the top 15, top 20-ish that I would love to share the cage with. Prove myself a couple more times, break into that top 15, and then go challenge whoever the champ is at the time.”

— Jacobe Smith, UFC Fighter (Heidi Androl)

What’s next

Smith says he's ready to take on the top 15-20 welterweights to prove himself and work his way to a title shot.

The takeaway

Jacobe Smith's confidence in his abilities, forged through training with an elite fighter like Islam Makhachev, could signal the arrival of a new contender in the UFC welterweight division as the promotion looks to build new stars.