When Elijah Smith made his first trip into the Octagon last February against Vince Morales, it made him and his father, Gilbert Smith the second father-son combination to both compete in the UFC, following Randy and Ryan Couture, with Lance Gibson Sr. and Jr. subsequently joining the exclusive group back in December.
It’s a unique experience and one that the Dana White’s Contender Series grad relishes.
Watch This And Every UFC Event Live On Paramount+
“It’s big to have him in my corner and to have a father that has been there and done that definitely helps a lot,” said Smith, whose father is his head coach and chief corner, just a few days prior to heading to Las Vegas for his 2026 debut against South Korean sophomore SuYoung You.