Rising Stars with The MMA Mom: Jeff Smith
Smith posing after fight
About a month ago I had visited the Blackman MMA Gym with my son, former Blackman fighter and TUF 14 finalist, Dennis “the Menace” Bermudez. Dennis was in town from New York in order to train with Jeff Smith for his fight as the main event in Steve Blackman’s PFC VI that was held this past weekend on November 19th.
Both my son Dennis and bantamweight Dustin Pague got their start at Blackman MMA. I congratulated Steve [Blackman] on having not one but two former students currently on Spike’s reality series, The Ultimate Fighter 14. He laughed and motioned his head toward Jeff [Smith].
“We’re hoping to get him in next,” Steve said.
Jeff Smith, at the age of 23, had a pro record of 8-1-0 going into the bout at PFC. Having lost his very first professional fight, he’s been on a winning streak ever since. Jeff started his journey through MMA with a new year’s resolution back in 2007.
“I was going to get back in shape and have fun doing it,” he said. “I joined Blackman MMA on Paxton Street in January of “07 and the rest is history.”
Having wrestled briefly in grades 8-10e back at high school in Wadsworth, Ohio, Jeff focused mainly on football in his school athletics. Because he had never considered himself a combat sports athlete before joining with Blackman’s, the idea of fighting professionally never entered his mind.
“I never actually thought I’d be fighting,” he continued. “I just thought I would grapple.”
Jeff can be found training hard on any given day at Blackman MMA. Like many young fighters, Jeff also has to manage a day job while putting in a professional fighter’s training hours. He is grateful that his work allows him so much latitude for training.
“My job at Youth Transit is a consent sponsor; they give me time off [to train] when I need it and are very supportive. My family is also supportive; they come to my fights and encourage me, but nothing like you,” he said in reference to my hobby as The MMA Mom. “Mike Diggs helps me out a lot; he holds mitts like no one in the area can but me.”
With a record like Jeff Smith’s, it’s a wonder why the young Pennsylvanian hasn’t gotten more recognition. But Jeff is confident that the kudos will soon be coming.
“PFC 6 is supposed to be my meal ticket into the UFC,” said Jeff. “Steve [Blackman] has talked to Joe Silva and he told me to get more quality wins and they would sign me. This [fight] should be quality win number two. I’m not looking past Cody[Stevens] though; he is a real tough cat and it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”
“I would like to say if all goes well in this fight,” he continued. “I hope to bring my skills to the octagon; I never have a boring fight and I will never quit.”
Fight night came and Jeff didn’t disappoint. In his main event bout against Cody “The Wolverine” Stevens, the two mixed it up thoroughly for all three rounds with Jeff having just the slightest edge with the majority of top control on the ground. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Jeff, bringing his record to 9-1-0.
In his quest for the Big Show, Jeff is planning for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. He is flying out to Las Vegas for the TUF 15 tryouts and is “looking for a place to stay if anyone wants to help out.” He also mentioned that he wants to train at some of the top gyms in Vegas while he’s there.
Keep an eye out for Jeff Smith as he makes his way through the MMA gauntlet on the road to the UFC.
