This is a closely matched bantamweight bout on paper, but Serhiy Sidey appears to have more well-rounded tools and long-term upside compared to Cameron Smotherman. While Smotherman has a solid boxing foundation and can find success when opponents are stationary or leave openings, his overall skill set as a mixed martial artist remains limited — particularly when fights hit the mat or require adjustments in close range.

Sidey, on the other hand, has shown a more complete game. He mixes kicks, elbows, and solid volume well on the feet, and has the added advantage of grappling upside. Smotherman has been exposed on the ground before, and Sidey’s ability to blend striking with takedowns and positional control could be a key difference-maker over three rounds. Training at MMA Lab also gives confidence that Sidey is going to continue to improve technically and physically between fights.

Durability also leans Sidey’s way. While both fighters have been in competitive matchups, Smotherman has been dropped or hurt in several fights — even going back to the regional scene and amateur bouts. Sidey, despite some close decisions, tends to stay composed, and even when he's been hurt, he recovers well and remains active.

Smotherman will need to keep this fight standing and clean to win, but Sidey’s ability to apply pressure, work in combinations, and mix in grappling gives him multiple paths to victory. Although this price has shortened, Sidey represents the more well-rounded and durable fighter, and the value still lies on his side.