TLDR
- Jacobe Smith defeated Josiah Harrell by first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night 267 in Houston
- Referee Kerry Hatley had to physically push Smith off his opponent after the knockout
- UFC commentator Jon Anik blamed the referee for a late stoppage, not the fighter
- Smith improved his undefeated record to 12-0 and called out Kevin Holland after the win
- Harrell suffered the first loss of his professional career, dropping to 11-1
Sources: mmajunkie.usatoday.com | talksport.com
A brutal knockout victory at UFC Houston ended with an angry referee physically pushing the winning fighter off his opponent, sparking debate about who was at fault.
Jacobe Smith defeated Josiah Harrell by knockout at the 3:01 mark of the first round at UFC Fight Night 267 on Saturday. The finish came from a series of elbows and punches on the ground.
Smith used his wrestling skills to reverse a takedown attempt from Harrell. Once on top, Smith delivered a flurry of strikes that forced referee Kerry Hatley to stop the fight.
Hatley appeared upset with Smith and had to physically push the fighter off Harrell to end the action. The referee’s frustration was visible to everyone watching.
Commentator Defends Fighter
UFC play-by-play announcer Jon Anik quickly came to Smith’s defense during the broadcast. He blamed Hatley for stopping the fight too late.
“That was a super late stoppage from Kerry Hatley,” Anik said. “It is the referee’s job, not the fighter’s job, to stop the fight.”
Anik explained that Hatley’s frustration was misplaced. “You see Hatley’s frustration, but he was sort of the man in error,” the commentator added.
The victory pushed Smith’s record to 12-0 overall and 3-0 in the UFC. Harrell suffered the first loss of his professional career and now stands at 11-1.
Smith has won all three of his UFC fights by knockout. His wrestling background has helped him control opponents before finishing them with strikes.
Fighter Calls Out Veteran
After the win, Smith spoke with former UFC champion Michael Bisping in his post-fight interview. The welterweight expressed confidence about his future in the division.
“Another one,” Smith said. “Keep on stacking these knockouts. Houston, Texas, we have a star in the building tonight.”
Smith then turned his attention to Kevin Holland, a veteran welterweight who was sitting near the cage. Holland has fought in the UFC since 2018 and has competed at both welterweight and middleweight.
“What’s next? I’ve got a name in mind,” Smith said. “Kevin Holland, where’s your b*tch ass at?”
Holland acknowledged the callout from his seat at the event. The veteran has not responded publicly to Smith’s challenge.
The knockout marked Smith’s third straight finish in the UFC. All three of his promotional victories have come before the final bell.
UFC Fight Night 267 took place in Houston, Texas, on Saturday night. The event aired live on Paramount Plus.
The main card featured several other fights. Michel Pereira defeated Zach Reese by split decision, while Carlos Leal beat Chidi Njokuani by unanimous decision.
Smith’s performance has established him as a welterweight prospect to watch. At just 12-0, he has several years to develop before entering his physical prime.
The controversy over the stoppage will likely follow both Smith and Hatley in coming weeks. However, Anik’s commentary during the broadcast made clear where the UFC’s broadcast team placed responsibility.
Smith continues to compete in the 170-pound division. His wrestling skills combined with finishing ability make him a difficult matchup for most opponents in the weight class.
