Oklahoma State wrestling standout Smith was a 25-1 favorite against Price
UFC 317’s Jacobe Smith unfazed by historic betting odds for Niko Price
UFC 317 winner Jacobe Smith spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his second-round submission of Niko Price on Saturday in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – Jacobe Smith met with MMA Junkie and other media members Saturday after his second-round submission win over Niko Price at UFC 317.
Smith (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) got some resistance from Price (16-9 MMA, 8-9 UFC) on the prelims at T-Mobile Arena, but ultimately continued to live up to his hype and promise. Smith was an all-time UFC record 25-1 betting favorite when the bell rang.
That said, the choke he transitioned to was one that was a new experience for him. Smith has eight knockouts on his resume, but the win over Price was his first submission.
“When I locked that choke up – I haven’t locked one of those up ever unless (a training partner) lets me, showing me this is how you get to it,” Smith said at his post-fight news conference. “When we’re live or fighting in the wrestling room training, it’s hard for me to get that, even training with teammates that are lightweights.
“When I got it, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve never felt it like this. I know this is something special.’ Then I threw the foot in, and that cinched up and I just knew it was over. I was going to squeeze until I couldn’t stand up.”
Check out Smith’s post-fight interview in the video above.
