Before entering the ring at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, 麻豆社国产mixed martial artist Cole Smith鈥檚 back began to feel sore.
鈥淢y massage therapist [Jared Bir] worked on it for about 45 minutes to an hour,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to get any injuries knowing that my back was tight, so he really straightened that out.鈥�
Fixing his back turned out to be an asset for 鈥渢he Cole Train鈥� who ended up winning the match against his opponent, Ty Wilson.
The victory marks the fourth professional Battlefield Fight League (BFL) win for the bantamweight champion. The BFL is one of the largest mixed martial arts organizations in B.C.
To begin, Smith did a few front kicks to establish range and keep his opponent at bay.
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鈥淚 thought his game plan was to initially push me up against the fence so I wanted to work range right away.鈥�
Once Wilson鈥檚 back was to the cage, Smith made his move.
鈥淚 heard my brother telling me to shoot so I shot underneath him. When I grabbed him, I felt like I was going to be physically stronger than him.鈥�
At 135 pounds, Smith is large for his weight class. Physical strength has proved to be an advantage in many of Smith鈥檚 fights.
In addition, Smith鈥檚 background in martial arts makes him a well-rounded fighter.
Smith trains at The Sound Martial Arts gym, under his brother and coach, Kasey. Having lived in Thailand for several years, Smith has earned a few titles in Muay Thai. He also has experience in grappling and Jiu-Jitsu.
To finish, Smith held his opponent in a rear-naked choke by wrapping his arms and legs around Wilson鈥檚 neck and torso. The two struggled for several seconds until it was clear that Smith had won.
One minute and 26 seconds later after it started, the fight was over.
Despite his sore back, Smith believes things went smoothly. 鈥淓verything worked out the way me and my brother Kasey planned,鈥� he said.
What鈥檚 next for the bantamweight champion?
Smith hopes to enter the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a major fight league, this April.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e looking for a fighter who has some buzz around him and a winning streak,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y fingers are crossed that I鈥檒l be fighting in that.鈥�
