If there is one thing we know about LFA, it is that top prospects from the promotion have their roads lead to greener pastures like PFL or the UFC. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will meet a deadly southwestern tornado looking to hit paydirt in the co-main event of LFA 53 on November 9. A professional since June 2015 and representing Forge MMA, Braden Smith owns an 8-2 record in 10 career bouts as a professional comprised of six submissions and two knockouts. Smith has earned a finish in all eight of his victories as a professional.

In his MMA debut at OFC Bricktown Brawl 7, he submitted Jeremy Mier in the first round. Smith also tapped out Kendrick Sloboh in round one at Freestyle Cage Fighting 50. Then at Rage in the Cage 43, he defeated Jacob Blurton via TKO in the first round. Smith defeated his next two opponents via submission in Antwan Williams and Tyrone Paige. In his lone appearance for Legacy Fighting Championship at Legacy FC 62, he tapped out Teagan Franco in the first round via toe hold. At HD Boxing Rampage at Remington Smith defeated Kenyon Jackson via TKO in round one.

In his debut appearance with LFA at LFA 15, he submitted Manuel Meraz in the first round via brabo choke to earn his sixth submission victory as a professional. For his third outing with LFA Smith will face Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series season one alum Kyle Stewart in the co-main event of LFA 53 on November 9 at welterweight. You can catch this fight live on AXS TV. Good luck Braden!

Analysis

At just 22 years old and has earned six of his eight career wins via tap out, Smith will face his toughest test yet in Kyle Stewart. To me, the co-main event of LFA 53 has all the makings of a classic experience versus youth battle and could very well show us a clear contender for LFA welterweight gold by night’s end. Expect Smith to remain poised and patient and I think he will earn the submission late in round two or early in round three.

Braden’s debut outing with LFA at LFA 15 against Manny Meraz