American Kombat Alliance Books Lightweight Championship Rematch For AKA 53
LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana (March 7, 2026) – American Kombat Alliance officially returns to the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino Lake Charles on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with one of the most anticipated championship bouts in regional MMA history. AKA 53 will be headlined by the long-awaited rematch between Hunter “Headshot” Smith and reigning AKA Professional Lightweight Champion Elliot “Be Good” Hebert.
With 2026 underway, American Kombat Alliance continues to surge forward, delivering high level matchups and meaningful storylines. AKA 53 represents the culmination of a rivalry built over years, intertwining two elite fighters, two rival gyms, and two Louisiana cities battling for lightweight supremacy.
Hebert will defend the richest prize in regional MMA, the AKA Professional Lightweight Championship, in the main event of the evening.
Smith enters the bout as the challenger and one of the most accomplished lightweights in the state. He is currently the number one ranked professional lightweight in Louisiana and ranks third pound for pound across all divisions statewide. Smith holds a professional record of 7-1, including a 3-1 run inside the AKA cage, and rides a three-fight win streak into this title opportunity.
The only professional loss of Smith’s career came in a championship bout against Hebert at AKA 37 in Lake Charles, where Smith fell short in his first attempt at AKA gold. Since then, Smith has rebuilt momentum and earned his way back into title contention. He is coming off the biggest victory of his career, a KO or TKO win over Aleko Saghliani at AKA 51 in November. Saghliani, an 11-8 professional from Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, was known for his high finishing rate until stepping into the cage with Smith.
Now, Smith looks to settle unfinished business and avenge the lone defeat of his professional career.
Standing across from him is the champion, Elliot “Be Good” Hebert, the current reigning and defending AKA Professional Lightweight Champion. Hebert owns a professional record of 5-2, including a 2-1 mark in AKA, and enters the bout on a two-fight win streak. He is currently ranked fifth among professional lightweights in Louisiana.
Hebert originally captured the vacant AKA Lightweight Championship by defeating Smith at AKA 37 via rear naked choke at 0:56 of round two in a scheduled five round bout. In his first title defense, Hebert lost the championship to Nicko Commissiong, a teammate of Smith, adding another layer of intrigue to the rivalry. Hebert later reclaimed the title by challenging and defeating Commissiong, reestablishing himself as the champion.
Now back at AKA, Hebert looks to prove once again that he is the true standard bearer of the lightweight division.
Smith represents 3 Brothers Jiu Jitsu and The PE Gym of Lake Charles, while Hebert represents The Shed Training Grounds of Lafayette, part of the WAR Training Center family. Two rival fighters. Two rival gyms. Two of the most recognizable cities in Louisiana. One championship on the line.
AKA 53 promises a championship main event fueled by violence, resolve, and the pursuit of legacy. Only one man will leave the cage as champion.
American Kombat Alliance presents AKA 53 live from the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
It is go time.