The event is scheduled for March 7, 2026 at the Golden Nugget Casino in the city of Lake Charles, Louisiana. AKA lightweight champion Elliot Hebert (5-2, 5 finishes) will defend his title against Hunter Smith (7-1, 5 finishes) in a highly anticipated rematch. American Kombat Alliance has been a leader in southern regional action since their first map in August 2017.
Elliot Hebert vs. Hunter Smith: The first encounter on AKA 37
Hebert and Smith would meet for the first time at AKA 37 in June 2024 for the vacant AKA Professional Lightweight Championship, in which you see the fight here. Headlining the evening’s card, the two would deliver a dynamic performance. Elliot Hebert would use his superior ground game and brute strength to control the first round primarily on the mat. When the second round arrived, Hebert went back to what got him the first round, eventually locking in the rear naked choke for the second round victory.
The second confrontation from the perspective of Elliot Hebert’s Challenger
So, how could this matchup end differently than the first meeting? For Elliot Hebert’s opponent, Hunter Smith, he thinks he has found that solution. “I’ve learned that less is more; less force equals more efficiency; less chaos equals more precision; less emotion equals more focus,” Smith told MMASucka.
There is also a potential factor for Smith to learn from his mistakes in the first fight and use them to gain the upper hand. “Nothing makes the pain of loss go away except hard work and improvement,” he said. “I think the most important thing that needs to change is knowing that not every fight has to end in the first round or even the second. There are at least 15 minutes every time I fight to create openings for myself. I’m not afraid of being submitted, just like I’m not afraid of a gunfight.”
According to the challenger, this is what to look out for during the big rematch in Louisiana. “Fans can expect a deliberately controlled pace,” he promised. “The fight will go the way I make it. He won’t dictate how fast or slow the fight goes, and I will win that process. I will paint a masterpiece.”
Rematch through the eyes of champion Elliot Hebert
Since defeating Smith to earn the vacant AKA Lightweight Championship, Elliot Hebert has gone 2-1, losing the title and then earning it again against Nicko Commissiong at AKA 42 and AKA 49 respectively. During that 2-1 streak, both of Hebert’s wins have come by first-round knockout, showing that the Louisiana star has what it takes to be a true shooting star in 2026. How can he improve even further? by doubling the wins against Smith? “I’ve made a lot of changes to my workout routine,” Hebert said. I go to Texas a lot to train. Moreover, it is always good to have more experience.”
Since losing the vacant title to Hebert in their first meeting, Smith has gone a perfect 3-0 against tough competition, most recently with a second-round knockout victory. What can the champion do to stop this run of another 2026 rising star in Hebert?
“I honestly can’t even remember our last fight a year and a half ago. I’m just focused on getting better every day,” he said. “I’m fighting a very different version of my opponent. I guess we’ll see, maybe we control his wrestling, maybe we strike. I like my chances wherever the fight goes. I’m going to make it look easy. I love training and fighting and I’m just happy to be doing this and making good money with AKA.”
The champion wasn’t shy about giving his to-the-point prediction for the rematch. “You will see a masterclass performance,” he said. “Elliot Hebert wins: first round KO!”
Word from the AKA CEO on the Elliot Hebert vs. Hunter Smith Competition
When the president/CEO of a mixed martial arts organization is willing to say something about a rematch, as Amber Bishop has done in the lead-up to the Hebert-Smith fight, you know it has all the makings of an instant classic.
“This rematch has all the makings of a fight of the year,” Bishop began. “Both guys come to fight every time and never try to pick their opponents. They are true competitors who are always willing to go the extra mile. They both bring heart, skill and something to prove, and that’s what makes this match so special. One of the greatest fights in AKA history with redemption in the spirit for Smith and dominance in the spirit for Hebert. A fight with UFC aspirations and gold on the line.”
“The first fight left fans wanting more, and now they’re seeing it settle into the cage. AKA Fights is proud to showcase this level of talent and competition, and I can’t wait for everyone to witness it.”
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