Louis Smolka

Louis Smolka
BornLouis Smolka
(1991-07-16) July 16, 1991 (age 33)
Kapolei, Hawaii, U.S.
Other namesDa last Samurai
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Bantamweight (2018-present)
Fighting out ofIrvine, California, United States
TeamHawaii Elite MMA Gracie Technics (2010-2018)
Team Oyama (2018-present)
RankBrown belt in Judo[2]
Junior brown belt in Kenpo Karate[2]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins17
By knockout8
By submission7
By decision2
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission3
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Louis Smolka (born July 16, 1991)[3] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2010, he has previously fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, California Xtreme Fighting, King of the Cage and Pacific Xtreme Combat. He is also former flyweight champion of both California Xtreme Fighting and Pacific Xtreme Combat.[4][5]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Smolka began his amateur career in 2010 and was able to achieve a 2–1 record in his first year of competition, also winning the X-1 amateur 135 lb. title. He would take nearly a year off before turning professional in 2012. He would pick up wins under the Destiny MMA and King of the Cage banners before moving on to the PXC promotion in late 2012. He would win all four fights he had with PXC and would leave the promotion as the flyweight champion.[6][7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In late 2013, Louis was signed by the UFC and was slated to make his promotional debut against Alp Ozkilic at UFC Fight Night 35 on January 15, 2014.[8] Smolka was able to come out with a unanimous decision victory.[9]

Smolka later faced Chris Cariaso on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40.[10] Smolka lost the fight via split decision.[11]

Smolka faced Richie Vaculik on November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 55.[12] He won the fight via knockout in the third round, finishing him with a side kick to the face and swarmed on Vaculik til the fight was stopped.[13] The win also earned Smolka his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[14]

Smolka faced Neil Seery on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.[15] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[16]

Smolka faced Paddy Holohan on October 24, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 76 in the main event.[17] After a back and forth first round featuring creative maneuvers by both men, Smolka was able to establish top position on Holohan midway in round two and deliver a series of shots, prompting Holohan to give up his back. Smolka was then able to lock in the rear-naked choke and secure the victory.[18]

Smolka next faced Ben Nguyen on July 13, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 91.[19] He won the fight via TKO in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[20][21]

Smolka was expected to face Sergio Pettis on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96.[22] However, Pettis pulled out of the fight citing a minor injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Brandon Moreno.[23] Smolka lost the fight via submission in the first round.[24]

Smolka faced Ray Borg on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.[25] At the weigh-ins, Borg missed weight for the bout, coming in at 129.5 pounds. As a result, he was fined 30% of his fight purse, which went to Smolka, who agreed to take a catchweight bout.[26] Smolka lost the fight by unanimous decision.[27]

Smolka faced Tim Elliott on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24.[28] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[29] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.[30]

Smolka faced Matheus Nicolau on December 30, 2017, at UFC 219.[31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Post UFC

[edit]

After being released from UFC in the beginning of 2018, Smolka moved to Irvine, California to train at Team Oyama and try to turn his career around. After getting scolded by his manager, Smolka realized he had a drinking problem that had hindered his career for the last years. Smolka gave up drinking completely and claims to have been sober since January 2018.[33][34]

Smolka's release from the UFC also prompted him to reconsider his career as a mixed martial artist. Faced with lower salary and limited growth opportunities, Smolka admitted to nearly walking away from MMA.[35]

Smolka faced Tyrone Christian Gorgonia at Gladiator Challenge - MMA Fighting Championship on April 21, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Return to UFC

[edit]

On November 13, 2018, news surfaced that Smolka has re-signed a four-fight contract with the UFC and faced promotional newcomer Su Mudaerji at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 on November 24, 2018. The bout marked Smolka's return to the bantamweight division.[36][37] Smolka admitted to struggling to make it to the flyweight limit in the past, admitting "I would be depleting myself to pretty close to death."[38] He won the fight via an armbar in round two.[39]

Smolka faced Matt Schnell on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.[40] He lost the fight via a triangle submission in the first round.[41]

Smolka faced Ryan McDonald on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 158.[42] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[43]

Smolka was expected to face Davey Grant at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik on March 28, 2020.[44] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed, and ultimately the pairing was scrapped.[45]

Smolka faced Casey Kenney on May 30, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns.[46] He lost the fight via submission through a guillotine choke in round one.[47]

Smolka was scheduled to face José Alberto Quiñónez on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 182.[48] At the weigh-ins, Smolka weighed in at 139 pounds, three pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout was to proceed at catchweight with Smolka fined 20 percent of his purse, which would go to his opponent Quiñónez.[49] Smolka pulled out of their fights the next day as consequence of the weigh-cut and those bouts were canceled.[50][51] The bout was left intact and eventually took place at UFC on ESPN 19 on December 5, 2020.[52] Smolka won the fight via a technical knockout in round two.[53]

Smolka was scheduled to face Sean O'Malley on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264.[54] However, Smolka pulled out of the fight in late-June citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Kris Moutinho.[55]

Smolka faced Vince Morales on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.[56] He lost the fight via knockout out in round one.[57]

Smolka faced Davey Grant on May 14, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 36.[58] He lost the bout after getting knocked out in the third round after getting dropped with a leg kick.[59]

Smolka announced on June 7, 2022, that he was “excited to test free agency” via his Twitter, confirming that he had been cut from the UFC.[60]

Personal life

[edit]

Smolka and his wife Yumi have a daughter, Lucy.[61]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
26 matches 17 wins 9 losses
By knockout 8 2
By submission 7 3
By decision 2 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–9 Davey Grant KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić May 14, 2022 3 0:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–8 Vince Morales KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo December 4, 2021 1 2:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–7 José Alberto Quiñónez TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori December 5, 2020 2 2:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–7 Casey Kenney Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns May 30, 2020 1 3:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–6 Ryan McDonald TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje September 14, 2019 1 4:43 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 15–6 Matt Schnell Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos March 9, 2019 1 3:18 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 15–5 Su Mudaerji Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 November 24, 2018 2 2:07 Beijing, China Return to Bantamweight.
Win 14–5 Kyle Estrada TKO (doctor stoppage) CXF 15 October 20, 2018 2 5:00 Burbank, California, United States Won the vacant CXF Flyweight Championship.
Win 13–5 Tycen Lynn Submission (guillotine choke) Destiny MMA: Fight Night 5 June 23, 2018 3 N/A Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 12–5 Tyrone Christian Gorgonia TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: MMA Fighting Championship April 21, 2018 1 1:15 Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Loss 11–5 Matheus Nicolau Decision (unanimous) UFC 219 December 30, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–4 Tim Elliott Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis April 15, 2017 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 11–3 Ray Borg Decision (unanimous) UFC 207 December 30, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (129.5 lb) bout; Borg missed weight.
Loss 11–2 Brandon Moreno Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson October 1, 2016 1 2:23 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 11–1 Ben Nguyen TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: McDonald vs. Lineker July 13, 2016 2 4:41 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 10–1 Paddy Holohan Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka October 24, 2015 2 4:09 Dublin, Ireland
Win 9–1 Neil Seery Decision (unanimous) UFC 189 July 11, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–1 Richie Vaculik KO (side kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping November 8, 2014 3 0:18 Sydney, Australia Performance of the Night.
Loss 7–1 Chris Cariaso Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva May 10, 2014 3 5:00 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win 7–0 Alp Ozkilic Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
Win 6–0 Ale Cali TKO (punches) Pacific Xtreme Combat 41 November 9, 2013 2 1:52 Pasig, Philippines Flyweight debut. Won the PXC Flyweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Jessie Rafols Submission (rear-naked choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 39 September 14, 2013 1 1:59 Pasig, Philippines
Win 4–0 Alvin Cacdac Submission (rear-naked choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 35 February 16, 2013 3 3:59 Pasig, Philippines
Win 3–0 Bryan To Hang Lam Submission (armbar) Pacific Xtreme Combat 34 November 17, 2012 1 3:54 Quezon City, Philippines
Win 2–0 Kawika Martin Submission (D'Arce choke) KOTC - Mana October 20, 2012 2 2:53 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 1–0 Shane Pacarro TKO (doctor stoppage) Destiny MMA - Unleashed April 28, 2012 2 5:00 Waipahu, Hawaii, United States

[62]

See also

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[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Fight Card - UFC 189 Mendes vs. McGregor". UFC.com. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Louis Smolka - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  3. ^ Mixed martial arts show results Date: May 30, 2020
  4. ^ "MANA Honolulu, HI". kingofthecage.com.
  5. ^ "MMA Sun 2014 Prospect Spotlight: The Flyweights – #10 – Louis Smolka". MMA Sun.
  6. ^ "PXC 41: Louis Smolka dethrones Ale Cali, wins flyweight crown". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-10-25.
  7. ^ "LOUIS SMOLKA, PXC Flyweight champ, signed to UFC". www.global-mma.com.
  8. ^ Zane Simon (2013-12-25). "UFC signs Louis Smolka, fights Alptekin Ozkilic at Fight Night 35". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-12-25.
  9. ^ Brian Knapp (2014-01-15). "UFC Fight Night 35 Prelims: Louis Smolka Springs Upset, Downs Alptekin Ozkilic". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  10. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-02-21). "Cariaso-Smolka added to UFC Fight Night in Cincinnati". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  11. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-05-10). "UFC Fight Night 40 results, photos: Chris Cariaso edges Louis Smolka for third straight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  12. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2014-10-28). "Neil Seery out, Louis Smolka fills in to face Richie Vaculik at UFC Fight Night Sydney". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-10-28.
  13. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-11-07). "UFC Fight Night 55 results: Louis Smolka stuns Richie Vaculik with third-round head kick". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  14. ^ Staff (2014-11-08). "UFC Fight Night 55 bonuses: Rockhold, Smolka, Whittaker, Hester win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-08.
  15. ^ Staff (2015-05-22). "Flyweights Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka added to UFC 189 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-22.
  16. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-07-11). "UFC 189 results: Louis Smolka outgrapples gritty and game Neil Seery". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-11.
  17. ^ Ariel Helwani (2015-08-12). "Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka targeted for UFC Fight Night Dublin". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
  18. ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-10-24). "UFC Fight Night 76 results: Louis Smolka silences Dublin, taps Paddy Holohan". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  19. ^ Staff (2016-04-21). "Ben Nguyen vs. Louis Smolka added to UFC Fight Night 91". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  20. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-07-13). "UFC Fight Night 91 results: Louis Smolka takes out hometown fan favorite Ben Nguyen in second". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-13.
  21. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2016-07-14). "UFC Fight Night Sioux Falls bonuses: Ferguson, Vannata Garner $50K apiece for wild battle". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  22. ^ Damon Martin (2016-08-01). "Louis Smolka vs. Sergio Pettis set for UFC Fight Night in Oregon". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  23. ^ Damon Martin (2016-09-23). "Louis Smolka draws TUF 24's Brandon Moreno as late-notice opponent". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  24. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Huge underdog Brandon Moreno chokes out Louis Smolka in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  25. ^ Marc Raimondi (2016-10-24). "Louis Smolka to meet Ray Borg at UFC 207". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  26. ^ Staff (2016-12-29). "UFC 207 early weigh-in results: Rousey hits 135, Hendricks and Borg miss weight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
  27. ^ Dave Doyle (2016-12-30). "UFC 207 results: Ray Borg rolls over Louis Smolka". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
  28. ^ Jesse Gillette (2017-01-30). "Tim Elliott vs Louis Smolka flyweight bout added to UFC Kansas City April event". mmanewsline.com. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  29. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-04-15). "UFC on Fox 24 results: Tim Elliott's relentless takedowns lead to unanimous win vs. Louis Smolka". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  30. ^ Staff (2017-04-15). "UFC on Fox 24 bonuses: History maker Demetrious Johnson among the night's winners". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  31. ^ Dana Becker (2017-09-27). "First three fights announced for UFC 219". fightline.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  32. ^ "UFC 219 results: Matheus Nicolau swarms and dominates Louis Smolka". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-31. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  33. ^ Mick Hammond (October 29, 2018). "Former UFC Flyweight Louis Smolka Gets Back to Winning After Training and Lifestyle Changes". mmaweekly.com.
  34. ^ Ben Fowlkes (April 20, 2018). "A drinking problem led to Louis Smolka's UFC demise; now he's hoping for a sober comeback". mmajunkie.com.
  35. ^ Brandon Sibcy (2019-03-02). "Louis Smolka discusses almost walking away from MMA, moving up a weight class in 2019". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  36. ^ Mike Bohn (November 13, 2018). "Louis Smolka re-signs with UFC, meets Sumudaerji Sumudaerji at UFC Beijing". mmajunkie.com.
  37. ^ Mike Bohn (November 14, 2018). "Re-signed Louis Smolka: UFC Beijing may be only chance to revive UFC career". mmajunkie.com.
  38. ^ Brandon Sibcy (2019-03-02). "Louis Smolka discusses almost walking away from MMA, moving up a weight class in 2019". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  39. ^ Staff (2018-11-24). "UFC Beijing Preliminary Card Results and Recap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  40. ^ DNA, MMA. "Louis Smolka vs. Matt Schnell toegevoegd aan UFC Wichita". Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  41. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-03-09). "Highlights! Smolka Gets Choked Out By 'Danger' At UFC Wichita". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  42. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2019-07-24). "Louis Smolka vs. Ryan MacDonald among new bouts announced for UFC Vancouver". mmamunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  43. ^ McClory, Mike (2019-09-14). "UFC Vancouver Results: Louis Smolka puts on a body striking clinic in win over MacDonald". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  44. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-12-28). "Greg Hardy, Sam Alvey Among UFC Columbus Additions". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
  45. ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  46. ^ Mike Heck (2019-05-21). "Casey Kenney vs. Louis Smolka targeted for UFC event May 30". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
  47. ^ McClory, Mike (2020-05-30). "UFC Vegas Results: Casey Kenney Sinks In Guillotine, Submits Louis Smolka". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  48. ^ DNA, MMA (2020-08-16). "Jose Quinonez vs. Louis Smolka toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 14 november". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  49. ^ Staff (2020-11-13). "UFC Fight Night 182 weigh-in results: Felder and Dos Anjos set, but three come in heavy". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  50. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2020-11-14). "Antonio Arroyo says Eryk Anders fight is off of UFC Vegas 14". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  51. ^ John Morgan (2020-11-14). "Louis Smolka ruled out of UFC Fight Night 182; Jose Quinonez fight scratched". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  52. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2020-11-17). "Louis Smolka, Jose Quinonez rebooked for UFC on ESPN 19 on Dec.5". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  53. ^ McClory, Mike (2020-12-05). "UFC Vegas 16 Results: Louis Smolka Finishes Jose Quinonez in Frantic Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  54. ^ "Sean O'Malley vs. Louis Smolka added to UFC 264 in Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-03. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  55. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2021-06-29). "Louis Smolka out of UFC 264 fight with Sean O'Malley". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  56. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-10-06). "Vince Morales vs. Louis Smolka Set For December 4 UFC Event". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
  57. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-12-04). "UFC Vegas 44: Vince Morales Stuns Louis Smolka Early". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  58. ^ "UFC | Smolka vs. Grant toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 14 mei". Eurosport (in Dutch). 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
  59. ^ Doherty, Dan (14 May 2022). "UFC Vegas 54: Davey Grant Finishes Louis Smolka in Final Round of Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  60. ^ Holland, Jesse (8 June 2022). "UFC parts ways with five fighters, including former 'Fight Night' headliner". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  61. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (November 13, 2020). "Ups And Downs Can't Discourage Louis Smolka". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  62. ^ Sherdog.com. "Louis". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
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