UFC 332: Silva vs. Wang opens the card with a fight between Jacobe Smith and Bruce Whitehead in the welterweight division. Check out our UFC 332 odds series for our Smith-Whitehead prediction and pick.
Jacobe Smith (12-0) is still undefeated after a first-round knockout of Josiah Harrell in February 2026, improving to 3-0 in the UFC. Before that, he submitted Niko Price with a second-round rear-naked choke at UFC 317, finishing all three UFC opponents, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Bruce Whitehead.
Bruce Whitehead (8-2) enters his UFC debut after a 48-second Fury FC 124 knockout of Ali Abouzalam on September 20. Before that, he beat Jared McLoughlin by unanimous decision in November 2025, following a loss to Valenzuela, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Jacobe Smith.
UFC 332 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC 332 Odds: Jacobe Smith-Bruce Whitehead Odds
Jacobe Smith: -1000
Bruce Whitehead: +650
Over 1.5 Rounds: +210
Under 1.5 Rounds: -280
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Jacobe Smith Will Win
Jacobe Smith should beat Bruce Whitehead at UFC 332 because he is the more proven, more complete, and more explosive fighter. Smith is 12-0 with nine knockouts, while Whitehead is 8-2 and making his UFC debut.
Smith’s UFC résumé includes four straight wins, among them a first-round TKO of Josiah Harrell and a second-round submission of Niko Price. His last five fights all ended early, showing that he can turn pressure into stoppages.
His striking volume is elite, landing 6.88 significant strikes per minute, more than 98 percent of UFC fighters. He also stops every takedown attempt he has faced in the UFC, which limits Whitehead’s best route to a grappling-based upset.
Whitehead is dangerous, with five first-round finishes and an average of 58 seconds in those wins. However, his last two losses were both early stoppages, which raises concerns about his defense against high-level pressure.
Smith’s task is to stay patient, defend the first burst, and attack with accurate combinations. If Whitehead is forced to fight a sustained striking battle, Smith’s speed, power, and wrestling defense should quickly become overwhelming.
Why Bruce Whitehead Will Win
Bruce Whitehead can beat Jacobe Smith at UFC 332 by exploiting a short-notice, high-variance setup in which Smith's defensive flaws matter more than his record. Whitehead is 8-2 and makes his UFC debut as a huge underdog, around +600.
Article Continues BelowSmith is 12-0 and 3-0 in the UFC, with two knockouts and one submission in those wins. Even so, Sherdog notes defensive holes in his game and warns that his overconfidence could walk him into something.
Whitehead's best path is patience. He should keep his hands up, make Smith reset after each burst, and avoid the wild exchanges that Smith's dynamic offense invites.
Smith's flashy techniques carry risk. Spinning attacks and aggressive entries can leave him off balance, and Whitehead can counter with clean punches or a scramble.
Whitehead also has nothing to lose. The market gives him roughly a 13 percent chance, so he can fight loose and take the calculated risks an underdog needs.
Smith is a former collegiate wrestler, so Whitehead must stay balanced and defend the cage well. If he stuffs the early takedowns, the fight could become more uncertain.
Final Jacobe Smith-Bruce Whitehead Prediction & Pick
Jacobe Smith is my pick to beat Bruce Whitehead by second-round stoppage. His combination of wrestling pressure and finishing ability presents a difficult challenge for the newcomer in this matchup.
Smith enters unbeaten at 12-0, with three finishes from three UFC appearances. His latest first-round knockout of Josiah Harrell reinforces the threat he carries even before establishing control through wrestling.
Whitehead deserves respect after stopping Ali Abouzalam in just 48 seconds on September 20. However, moving directly from regional competition into this matchup represents a substantial step upward in difficulty.
I expect Smith to close distance patiently, threaten takedowns, and force Whitehead into defensive exchanges. That approach should reduce opportunities for explosive counters while creating openings for damaging ground strikes.
Whitehead’s clearest upset route is catching Smith during an entry before sustained pressure takes over. Ultimately, I favor Smith’s broader skill set to produce a decisive finish inside two rounds.
Final Jacobe Smith-Bruce Whitehead Prediction & Pick: Jacobe Smith (-1000), UNDER 1.5 Rounds (-280)