The upcoming boxing match of Dalton Smith vs. Sam O' Maison will happen at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Sam O' Maison and Dalton Smith are two of UFC's most exciting prospects. Both men have the incredible ability, dynamic finishing instincts, and well-rounded games with few exploitable weaknesses. We've seen fighters with seemingly identical skillsets fail so many times that the idea of comparing two individual fighters feels almost like a waste of time. Are they just too similar to succeed?
Let's be honest: Many fighters in MMA have very similar skill sets. In fact, we as a collective group of fans have gotten so used to this phenomenon. There is something else that we have touched on in the introduction above. But the first thing that stands out is the striking styles of O'Maison and Smith. The former is a Muay Thai stylist who throws powerful kicks and knees with both legs. He's not averse to getting into a striking exchange, but he's more likely to look for the quick and precise strike to put his opponent away. While Smith is a volume striker, he doesn't have the same devastating finishing power as O' Maison. He does have knockout power, but it takes him a bit longer to put his opponent away.
Smith said, "World Championship boxing at Hillsborough's the goal, so headlining the arena for the British title is a great milestone along the way. It's a venue that has seen some huge fights – Naz, Nelson, Hatton, and Brook, to name a few. Now I feel it's my turn. Sam is heavy-handed and an awkward southpaw, but I think my best beats his best, so that's what I need to deliver. It's going to be the right atmosphere!" O' Maison said, "When I discovered this fight, I was over the moon. Becoming British Champion has been a childhood dream of mine! I know Dalton fairly well and sparred with him a few times, so I know this fight won't be easy. These calibers of fights never are, but I 100% believe in myself. The icing on the cake is that it's a Sheffield derby at the Sheffield Arena! No doubt the atmosphere will be electric knowing Sheffield supporters! Roll on August 6."
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman, said, "It's Sheffield vs. Sheffield for the prestigious British Super-Lightweight Title on August 6 and a chance for one of the most exciting talents in world boxing Dalton Smith to headline his first ever show in his home city. Dalton has been flawless in the professional ranks, and I truly believe he is a World Champion-in-waiting. He has a tough assignment against Sam O'maison, and the arena will be bouncing for an all-Sheffield main event. We have a host of young talent looking to make an impression on the undercard – catch it all live on DAZN." Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN, said, "Alongside the mega fights, DAZN is always looking to showcase the best up-and-coming talent on our shows. This card has some of the most exciting young British boxing fighters destined for the very top. This fight night is not to be missed! August 6, live worldwide on DAZN."
It's safe to say that Sam O'Maison made a huge splash in his promotional debut. Taking on the highly experienced Andre Soukhamthath, O'Maison showed off his vicious finishing instincts. He could find the finish from many positions, showing off the well-rounded nature of his game. The 25-year-old kickboxer and Muay Thai stylist has all the makings of a top prospect. He has the power and dynamism in his striking to end the fight with one shot and a smothering wrestling game to put opponents on the ground and keep them there. Whether on his feet or on the ground, O'Maison always looks to finish the fight. However, his intelligent and patient approach to his game and his pressure-heavy style has allowed him to show off his well-rounded game. He has finished opponents on the feet, in the clinch, and on the ground, showing off his skill and versatility as a fighter.
Dalton Smith is an exciting young prospect with a similar path to the UFC as O' Maison. He started his MMA career around the same time as his fellow prospect, having a couple of successful amateur fights before turning pro. He continued his winning ways at the pro level, racking up impressive wins. While Smith doesn't have the finishes that O'Maison has, he makes up for it with his volume and accuracy. He lands a huge amount of shots, seeming to throw punches at every angle and pace. That's not to say that Smith doesn't possess the power to put his opponent away. He has two UFC wins by knockout, with his last win coming by way of knockout in just 48 seconds.
The undercards for the night of Dalton Smith vs. Sam O' Maison are very exciting. Sandy Ryan was predicted to go for the big belts after becoming a professional. But the former Commonwealth Games champ got an upset defeat in her previous match against the former world champ Erica Anabella Farias. The latter is a fighter from Argentina who got a deserved points victory in their match against each other. But it was grueling for both the boxers. The two are raring to go for it in the rematch. Jordan Thompson is also going for his initial professional belt. The professional fighter from Manchester is taking on Vasil Ducar for the IBF European cruiserweight belt. The latter is a very durable boxer. He had already taken Chris Billiam-Smith the entire distance when they faced off against one another. The fighter from the Czech Republic has been defeated only once before. This was a retirement loss to Mike Perez a few months ago.
Conclusion
Every fighter is different, and their paths to get to the top are rarely identical. Just because a fighter has similar skills as someone else doesn't mean they will have the same success. It's how they use those skills that matter. In terms of how O'Maison and Smith will do in the UFC, they both have the skills and the ability to succeed. It's just a matter of how they can implement their game into the UFC. But the Dalton Smith vs. Sam O' Maison match will be quite exciting.