Scott Smith knows all about being down in a fight, but the heavy handed, big-hearted middleweight can never be counted out.
Perhaps no more appropriate example exists than when Smith was matched up against Cung Le at “Strikeforce: Evolution” last December. Smith was brutalized for over two and one-half rounds by the stellar striking of Le. When victory seemed out of the question, Smith, who had survived more than his fair share of devastating flurries, landed the punch he had spent the entire fight trying to, forcing the stoppage at 3:25 of the third round, just 75 seconds before the end of the fight.
But that result should not come as a surprise to anyone. Just talk with Pete Sell and Benji Radach. Chances are they will be able to tell you a story about Smith’s come-from-behind history.
However, with three knockouts of the come-from-behind type, Smith’s late round salvations resulting from his heavy hands and strong chin still fail to avoid the title of fluke. Now, Smith has a chance to prove differently by defeating Le for a second time when they meet in a rematch at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum”.
Le, who had a dominant kickboxing career before trying his hand at mixed martial arts, will no doubt be looking to put Smith away in convincing fashion. After all, in their first meeting, he had plenty of opportunities to turn it up and look for the finish, but he always seemed content to simply display his crisp, dynamic kickboxing, the same kickboxing that earned him an undefeated record and the middleweight title.