Elijah Smith says he’s ‘not even close to my prime’ after 60-second KO

The 24-year-old lost weight

UFC Vegas 124. Speaking to UFC News afterward, Smith credited his preparation but said he has a lot of room for improvement.

Elijah Smith knocked out Davey Grant at UFC Vegas 124 and is demanding a bigger opportunity in the bantamweight division

“I’m just getting better and I’m only 24. I’m not even in my prime,” Smith said. “Those countless nights of training, those hard … you know, sometimes we get butt in training … but we do it so that when we get out of here, we’re successful.”

Smith said the performance provides further proof of his versatile skills.

“I said it before my last fight, that I’m a total fighter, and again, I mean, I’m going to show you guys, and I’m going to keep showing up and showing myself,” he said.

Against Grant, Smith wanted to establish the veteran’s timing before throwing shots.

“All I knew was that I just had to get his timing and just touch him and when I touch him he feels the power … and he felt the power,” Smith added.

Smith believes the win gave him a bigger chance, although he did not name a preferred opponent.

“I feel like I earned something big. I don’t know what it is, but we’ll see in the future.”