The Ultimate Fighting Championship held its latest event, UFC Vegas 124, on Saturday, November 7, at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Among the standout performers of the evening was bantamweight prospect Elijah Smith, who delivered a statement victory. Smith faced off against seasoned veteran Davey Grant, ultimately stopping the fight in just one minute of the opening round.
The decisive moment arrived when Smith landed a powerful right hand that sent Grant to the canvas. Referee Herb Dean intervened to halt the contest, marking the first time in Grant’s career that he has suffered a knockout loss inside the Octagon. By securing this victory, Smith improved his professional record to 11-1 and maintained his undefeated 4-0 status within the UFC promotion.
Following the conclusion of the event, the organization recognized Smith’s impressive display by awarding him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. As noted in recent reports, “Elijah Smith brutally knocked out Davey Grant in the first round” to earn the significant financial reward. This victory served as a milestone for the 24-year-old, who entered the bout fighting in the final contest of his existing contract.
The event also featured a high-stakes main event between Johnny Walker and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, which was awarded Fight of the Night honors, resulting in $100,000 bonuses for both participants. Heavyweight Thomas Petersen also received a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his third-round comeback finish. Additionally, Austin Bashi, Andre Petroski, and Jose Souza were each granted a $25,000 finish bonus for their respective victories on the preliminary card. The evening underscored the competitive nature of the card, providing fans with several notable finishes and highlighting the rising potential of fighters like Smith as they look toward future opportunities in the division.