The 鈥淐ole Train鈥� was temporarily derailed inside the Battlefield Fight League (BFL) cage in Richmond on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Squamish鈥檚 Cole Smith suffered the first blemish of his career in the mixed martial arts world at BFL 32 against Surrey鈥檚 Bradley Nicholson, but the decision came at the hands of the referee.
According to Cole鈥檚 brother Kasey Smith, an accidental head butt opened a big cut above Cole鈥檚 eyes about 30 seconds into the bout. The two battled for the next 90 seconds or so, but excessive bleeding from the cut caused the ref to stop the bout and award the decision to Nicholson.聽
Kasey said they are planning to appeal the decision and hope to get the bout deemed a no contest. The loss drops Cole鈥檚 record to 2-1 inside the BFL cage and 3-1 in his amateur MMA career.聽
Kasey said that Cole is likely still in line for a shot at the BFL Amateur Bantamweight title. He said management informed him Cole won鈥檛 lose his ranking after losing following an accidental foul. He noted that Nicholson also was five pounds above the weight limit and Cole could have declined the fight if he wanted to.
The Bantamweight division saw a new champion crowned at BFL 32 when Vancouver鈥檚 Nick Ghaeni beat Craig MacLean in 29 seconds.
Cole isn鈥檛 the only Smith family member who has had success this summer inside the BFL cage, as Kody Smith, who trains in Squamish, defeated Channing Vigier with a third-round technical knock out in Coquitlam on July 12.聽
Kasey said Kody returns to the BFL
cage in November and Cole鈥檚 next appearance for the organization is still to be determined.
For complete results from the event, visit www.battlefieldfight.com.聽
