Perhaps the most nail-biting moment of Cole Smith鈥檚 UFC debut was when Mitch Gagnon clipped him on the jaw with a hard punch.
Smith staggered backwards, and within seconds, Gagnon was grappling on the ground with the Squamish fighter.
Things weren鈥檛 looking good on the last round of his May 4 match during the UFC Fight Night 151 in Ottawa.
Yet, in a few moments, Smith managed to turn the tables and he found himself on top of his opponent.
Seconds before the round ended, Smith was working Gagnon into a rear-naked choke. You could argue that Gagnon was saved by the bell.
It was a remarkable recovery, and a performance that helped Smith secure a victory by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost better that I kind of took that and fought my way out of it because people know I鈥檓 here,鈥� Smith told The Chief on Monday as he was on his way to corner a teammate鈥檚 fight.
鈥淚鈥檓 serious. I鈥檓 not easily put away, you know? I have heart.鈥�
The recovery was just one example of Smith鈥檚 grappling ability, which was showcased extensively throughout the match, especially in Round 2.
鈥淚 know he鈥檚 going to try to get on top and wrestle, but I know when I鈥檓 on top 鈥� it鈥檚 extremely hard for people, man. I鈥檓 long, I鈥檓 tall, I鈥檓 big and I鈥檓 strong,鈥� said the 30-year-old.
鈥淚 knew if I were to get him down, you know, he wasn鈥檛 able to get back up.鈥�
While a first fight in the octagon can be a nerve-wracking experience for many fighters, he said he was calm, because, in fact, he鈥檇 already faced the bigger challenges competing locally in B.C.
鈥淚 felt there was a lot more pressure on me competing as a local, as opposed to fighting in the big stage,鈥� said Smith.
鈥淔ighting as a local, you lose a round, your stock goes way down. You can鈥檛 even look semi-bad, you know what I mean? You need to be on top of your game in the whole fight.鈥�
Smith鈥檚 performance and demeanour did not go unnoticed.
UFC commentator and retired fighter Mike Bisping shared Smith鈥檚 post-fight interview on his Instagram page.
As for the future, there are three fights left in Smith鈥檚 contract.
He says there are rumblings of a fight that will happen in Vancouver in July.
If that happens, he鈥檒l be on the card, he said.
鈥淚鈥檓 just overwhelmed by Squamish鈥檚 support,鈥� said Smith.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e been absolutely fantastic with me so I really do thank the town for everything that they鈥檝e done.鈥�
Smith now boasts a 1-0 record in the UFC. His professional record beforehand was 6-0. He trains locally at The Sound gym.
