The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced life to slow down in myriad ways, and even high-octane activities such as mixed martial arts (MMA) aren't exempt.
That's what local Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Cole Smith has experienced, noting that he's benefitted greatly from the chance to take a step back and approach the sport with a higher-level view.
Though in the early weeks of the pandemic, he still trained regularly with brother and coach Kasey, Smith also delved into studying the intricacies of martial arts.
"I was forced to stay home and study, watch video after video and do techniques and drills over and over again," Smith said. "My old schedule was driving to Langley twice a week, driving to North Van once a week, driving to Richmond once a week and just grinding and grinding.
"I wasn't really sitting down and learning.
"It really slowed things down. I wasn't just beating up my body and sparring hard and going home."
By placing drills in context, the 31-year-old Smith started to put some additional pieces together. It culminated in a surprise at his home Squamish gym, The Sound, on Saturday, July 18, as he received his jiu-jitsu black belt.
Adam Ryan of Richmond came to present the belt, bringing four other black belts with him.
"It was a big thing having all those black belts come up and give it to me," Smith said. "Adam Ryan is a legitimate black belt and he's pretty known throughout the city, so getting one from him isn't easy."
Smith acknowledged that he wasn't anticipating being up for his black belt for quite some time and was surprised it came this quickly
"I was expecting a black belt, but I was hoping I was going to wait another year. I like to be overqualified rather than under qualified," he said. "I was very, very happy that I got it, but I'd have liked to have waited a little bit longer, if that makes sense."
As well, Smith knows he can't be complacent — just the opposite, in fact — as he has to prove himself worthy of the belt each time out.
"It's just a belt. It doesn't mean too much. I still have to perform at that level," he said.
"I still have to work hard and be there for it."
The Sound owner Jamie O'Connor said Smith is the first athlete to earn his jiu-jitsu black belt starting in Squamish and seeing it all the way through.
"We're hugely proud of that. It's a long process and it's a lot of hard work," he said.
If Smith is home in Squamish and not training in Las Vegas or Thailand, he's a common sight at the gym, O'Connor said.
"He's there pretty much every day," O'Connor said. "It's really quite something. To be able to see someone from a small town like this that basically started cradle to grave to make it to the pinnacle of the sport in mixed martial arts, not to mention getting a black belt in jiu-jitsu along the way, our students at the gym are incredibly fortunate."
Smith started training at Squamish Martial Arts under Master Scot Strachan over a decade ago, saying Strachan went above and beyond to set him on his UFC journey.
"He's a great guy. He's a great instructor," Smith said. "He was always motivating and he saw something in me."
About four years ago, though, Smith branched off to help create The Sound in order to take on high-level training.
As for what's next, Smith said the UFC told him to be ready in August for his next bout, and he's still hoping to make it to Fight Island, the Abu Dhabi location where events are held during the pandemic. It would be Smith's first match since a loss to Miles Johns on Sept. 14, 2019.
"I'm itching to fight here. It's been almost a year," said Smith, who has a 7-1 UFC record. "I'm ready to get in there again."
Smith adds that he appreciates the love and support he gets from Squamish and has received throughout his career.
"It feels good to represent Squamish on the big stage and I'm glad to be here," he said.
