Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith at UFC Fight Night 251 | Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
We have an excellent bantamweight clash up next involving two fighters at opposite ends of their careers as 34-year-old Vince Morales faces up-and-coming 22-year-old Elijah Smith
Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith Facts
When is UFC Fight Night 251? UK – the preliminary card starts at 9:00pm on Saturday 15th February 2025, followed by the main card at 12:00am (Sunday) / USA – 4:00pm/7:00pm ET and 1:00pm/4:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 251? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 251? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 251
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 251 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 251? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 251 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Vince Morales and Elijah Smith expected to walk out? 10:00pm UK / 5:00pm US ET / 2:00pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 251 Main Card Event
Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues (Middleweight)
Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Dylan Budka (Middleweight)
Ismael Bonfim vs Nazim Sadykhov (Lightweight)
Rodolfo Vieira vs Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Connor Matthews vs Jose Delgado (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night 251 Prelims
Angela Hill vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)
Jared Gordon vs Mashrabjon Ruziboev (Lightweight)
Rafael Estevam vs Jesus Santos Aguilar (Flyweight)
Gabriel Bonfim vs Khaos Williams (Welterweight)
Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith (Bantamweight)
Valter Walker vs Don'Tale Mayes (Heavyweight)
Julia Avila vs Jacqueline Cavalcanti (Women’s Bantamweight)
Vince Morales: 34-year-old coming off a defeat in second spell in UFC
Vince Morales (16-8) is in his second spell in the UFC and he will be hoping to get a much-needed win under his belt here. After going 3-5 in his first spell in the Octagon between 2018 and 2022, he returned in September and lost a unanimous decision to Taylor Lapilus in Paris. Between spells, he won five successive bouts in smaller promotions and it may very well be the case that he has found his level. This is something of a must-win fight for Morales if he is to prolong his second stay in the promotion.
Elijah Smith: Contender star looking to make statement on UFC debut
Elijah Smith (7-1) is a highly-rated prospect who makes his debut in the UFC here after coming through Dana White’s Contender Series. He has only been professional since 2022 and he has been extremely active and racked up seven wins with the one solitary loss. The 22-year-old is developing nicely and the UFC matchmakers have paired him with a hugely experienced opponent to test his credentials here.
Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith Prediction
24-fight veteran Vince Morales comes into this fight as the underdog against 22-year-old Elijah Smith. This is a really interesting match made by the UFC head honchos and it will be fascinating to see how it plays out.
Morales has enjoyed a good career but the majority of his wins have come outside of the UFC. It will be interesting to see how Smith measures up with him however.
We like the look of Smith and the promise he showed in the Contender Series. With Morales in the twilight of his career, we think Swift Smith will have just too much for him and a decision win is on the cards for the rising star.
Prediction: Elijah Smith to win by decision
