After three rounds inside the Battlefield Fight League (BFL) cage, Squamish's Cole Smith had his fate determined by the three fight judges and after a few anxious moments 鈥淐ole Train鈥� had his hand raised again.
Smith was pushed to the limit against Reese Wood at BFL 29 in Coquitlam at the Hard Rock Casino on Saturday (March 29) and won via judge's decision (30-27, 30-27 and 29-28).
Despite the win, Smith wasn't totally satisfied with his effort.
鈥淚 didn't fight to the best of my abilities,鈥� he said, following the fight. 鈥淚'm kind of disappointed 鈥� I was grappling a little too much and wasn't listening to my coaches as much as I should have. I made a lot of little mistakes out there 鈥� I should have pushed off more and used my boxing and if I did that more the fight would have went a lot better.鈥�
Smith's superior stand up skills were on display in the third round and he said it was that third round that decided the fight.
鈥淚 knew it was a close fight and I knew that third round would determine the winner,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wanted to stand more and box, which I managed to do but I think I let him do more than I wanted him to. I knew he was a grappler but I feel I can grapple with anyone.鈥�
Adam Ryan, a former 麻豆社国产resident, said Smith showed a lot of skill but they had to make some important adjustments heading into that final round.
鈥淚 wanted him to stick and move,鈥� he said. 鈥淒on't chase 鈥� fake and expect him to shoot. That's what happened in the first two rounds, Cole would step forward and Wood would step back and shoot 鈥� which is what exactly what a grappler should do. We told Cole to fake more so the guy didn't know what he was doing and make his opponent come at him and then strike him.鈥�
Ryan and coach Kasey Smith said this was exactly the type of fight Cole needed.
鈥淗e needed a tough fight,鈥� Kasey said. 鈥淭he last two fights he won easily and this was just the type of thing he needed.鈥�
鈥淭his was good and tough but it's going to make him think more when he fights now,鈥� Ryan added.
Ryan pointed out that Smith's jiu-jitsu has improved in recent months and he did fine against an established jiu-jitsu grappler in Wood.
鈥淐ole showed a lot of skill in his stand up and on the ground today,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淭he other guy's specialty was jiu-jitsu and some of his hip switches with the takedowns caught Cole a little by surprise but he held his own. Cole's grappling and jiu-jitsu was fine and his striking was clearly better. I thought maybe he was chasing his punches a bit early on and that's something that he needs to slow down and be more accurate with.鈥�
Ryan said Smith has improved his jiu-jitsu by participating in some recent jiu-jitsu tournaments and that helped on Saturday.
鈥淗is jiu-jitsu training is really paying off,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou learn from the good and bad at these tournaments and he used some of that experience tonight.鈥�
Scott Strachan, from the 麻豆社国产Martial Arts Centre, said his student has blossomed into an excellent fighter.
鈥淚 couldn't be more proud of him,鈥� he said, from inside Smith's dressing room. 鈥淗e had some adversity tonight and overcame it. He's so well rounded 鈥� his opponent was known for his ground game and he hung with him. And I think Cole had a clear advantage in the stand up.鈥�
The win improves Smith's record to 3-0 as an amateur and 2-0 inside the BFL cage. Back on Dec. 7 he defeated Damon Begg in 48 seconds of the first round via a guillotine choke.
Smith said he's not sure what's next but the title for his flyweight (145 pound) division is currently vacant and Smith's camp said it's possible that he will get a chance to fight for the gold at an upcoming BFL show.
For complete results from the event, visit .
