Ultimate dream as Smith eyes career in UFC
AMBITIOUS George Smith dedicated more than a decade- andahalf of his life to judo, but having made the transition to mixed martial arts ( MMA), the Halifaxborn athlete believes he is Cclosing in on a place in the Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC).
The 25- year- old former British amateur champion turned professional in 2018 and, despite an early setback, has gone on to win five consecutive bouts in the middleweight division of Cage Warriors – Europe’s biggest MMA promotion.
He is set to return to the octagon this evening and, should he manage to overcome opponent Matthew Bonner, then Smith is certain that he will find himself in the mix for a world title shot in the not- too distant future.
If things go to plan and he is able to extend his five- fight winning streak over the next 12 months, then the Yorkshireman is adamant that the UFC will eventually come calling.
“It’s a big fight for me. Matt is very tough and can take a shot but if I’m serious about getting to the UFC then I’ve got to beat fighters like him,” Smith told The Yorkshire Post.
“I’m confident in my own skillset and I know that I can perform to a higher level than him. If I can win this one then I could get offered a world title fight in my next fight or the one after that.
“If I keep winning fights then my dream of getting to the UFC will just keep getting closer. I believe I could be there within the year, maybe even sooner if I can win my next three fights.
“The pathway is there, I can see it and I believe in myself. I 100 per cent believe I will get there. I can confidently say that I’m one of the best in my division in Europe, I could never say that about myself about judo.”
Smith’s martial arts career began at the tender age of four when he was introduced to judo. He excelled, winning his first national medal at 14.
He would go on to represent Great Britain, moving away from home as a 17- year- old and relocating to the Midlands so he could train full- time with Team GB.
Smith became a British and European junior champion, but by the time he turned 20, he’d had enough.
“I just fell out of love with judo,” he added.
“There’s a lot of politics involved in amateur sport and I wasn’t enjoying myself . I think if you’re going to try and make a career out of your hobby then you really need to enjoy it.
“I’d had a couple of MMA fights when I was 16 before I moved to Birmingham. Once I quit judo, I knew what I wanted to do.
“There are a lot of transferrable skills. I was a very strong grappler and had a good clinch game, but I didn’t want to just be known as the ‘ judo guy’. I’ve worked hard on my all- round game. No- one has worked harder than me.”
That hard work paid off. Having honed his skills, Smith won 11 of his 12 amateur bouts, making it to the top of the national rankings before turning professional in July 2018
Now, he is setting his sights on bringing big MMA fights to Yorkshire and attempting to emulate featherweight world boxing champion Josh Warrington.
A fellow Leeds United supporter, Smith believes that tapping
into the Whites’ fanbase the way the ‘ Leeds Warrior’ has could significantly raise his profile and really boost his prospects.
“Bringing big fights to Yorkshire is my dream,” Smith said
“I’m a massive Josh Warrington fan.
“I look up to him and I’ve been to a lot of his fights including at Elland Road.
“I’m a United season ticketholder and Josh has sent me a few messages of support, so hopefully Leeds fans will get behind me.
“Nobody is doing what Josh has done in boxing in MMA at the moment, and if you’re going to dream big then you’ve got to think ‘ why can’t I do that, or something similar?’
“I think I’m in the best position of all the MMA fighters currently in the county to do it, so I’m dreaming big and hoping that I can bring the UFC to Yorkshire.”