Jake Hadley vs. Cameron Smotherman: A Preview of UFC Fight Night 245 Bout

Jake Hadley and Cameron Smotherman are set to face off in a bantamweight bout on the main card of UFC Fight Night 245 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This matchup comes after an unexpected change in Hadley’s opponent, originally scheduled to face Brady Hiestand, who withdrew for unspecified reasons. This encounter marks Hadley’s third fight in 2024.

Jake Hadley, with a record of 11-3 MMA and 3-3 within the UFC, is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Caolan Loughran despite missing weight for that fight. Reflecting on his current performance and strategy, Hadley said to UFC News, “I’ve grown a lot as a fighter, I’ve matured a lot… I’m in my prime right now so far in my life.” Now competing at bantamweight, Hadley feels healthier and more prepared than in previous fights.

Cameron Smotherman steps into the octagon with a professional record of 11-4 MMA and is making his UFC debut on short notice after a recent string of victories under Fury’s banner. Smotherman’s last appearance at the UFC Apex was on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he faced a loss to Charalampos Grigoriou. Despite his underdog status, his knockout power poses a potential threat, marking him as a dangerous opponent.

According to oddsmakers such as FanDuel, Hadley is heavily favored at -550, with Smotherman as the underdog at +390. The fight’s outcome is anticipated by many to end in Hadley’s favor, with projections suggesting a stoppage by strikes in the second round.

The fight is scheduled to take place at approximately 7:35 p.m. ET (4:35 p.m. PT) and will be streamed live. For further details on the card, fans are encouraged to visit MMA Junkie’s event hub and participate in discussions about mixed martial arts content.