LAS VEGAS – Randy Brown plans to halt the Jacobe Smith hype in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 292 co-main event.
Brown (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) was originally scheduled to fight Carlos Leal in a welterweight bout at Meta APEX (Paramount+), but an injury saw highly touted and undefeated prospect Smith (13-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) step in as a replacement.
Advertisement
With more octagon wins to his name than Smith does in career victories overall, Brown understands what the UFC is looking for out of this booking. Although he called the opponent change a “curveball,” he looks to show Smith isn’t ready for the next step.
“This is probably his step up now,” Brown told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day. “I thought maybe the UFC felt he needed a step up, and I guess I’m the guy to go out there and test him. For sure, this will be new territory for him. He’s a talented dude. But I definitely offer something that he’s never seen before. And it’s going to be tough for him.”
Brown has been part of the UFC roster since January 2016. He’s fought former champions like Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad during his tenure, but the 36-year-old currently finds himself in an unfamiliar situation.
Brown enters Saturday’s fight on the first losing skid of his career. He was on the wrong end of a decision vs. Kevin Holland at UFC 327 in April, and prior to that, he was knocked out by Gabriel Bonfim in November 2025. He admits he views the showdown with Smith as a must-win scenario, as he does every other fight, but there’s no denying it’s a crucial moment if he wants to achieve his ultimate dreams.
Advertisement
“I’ve got so much more left and so much more to do,” Brown said. “There’s moments where I came short, and I need to go back and correct those. The confidence hasn’t wavered, and my goal remains the same, and I show up and prepare and do what I need to do every time. I’m going to go out there, and I’m going to put a stop to it. …
“The prediction is pain. The prediction is I’m going to go out there and do some damage. I’m going to get my hand raised no matter where we are. I’m going to go and get it done. I’m going to open him up, and we’re going to get this W.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Randy Brown: ‘The prediction is pain’ for Jacobe Smith at UFC Vegas 123
