Cole Smith ‘Pumped’ to Fight Close to Home at UFC Vancouver

Cole Smith made his Octagon debut on short notice when he took on Mitch Gagnon at UFC Ottawa in May.

For his second appearance at UFC Fight Night 158, Smith will make the Octagon in Vancouver which is just minutes from his house. Smith is excited to fight close to home and is expecting quite a few friends and family to be in attendance.

“It is huge. Everybody knows I am fighting on the card. It is going to be a big step up for me in terms of popularity. I’m pumped, it will be a great experience,” Smith said to Sherdog.com. “I just couldn’t be more excited to fight in the UFC so close to home. I’m expecting so many people like hundreds into the thousands for people for me.”

Although fighting close to home is surreal, Smith knows he has to win the fight to complete the experience. He knows Miles Johns is a tough opponent but expects to win this bout.

“With me, I have no idea how I am going to fight that night,” he said. “I’m comfortable wherever so I just do whatever feels the best that day. Just go with the flow and see what happens.”

Smith has been targeting Johns as a potential opponent for a while. He was at the Contender Series when Johns got the contract and knew it would be a good fight for him.

“I watched him fight live and as soon as the fight was over and said I would take this fight, it is a good match up for me. I thought we wouldn’t fight each other because we are both prospects, then two days later I got the call,” he said.