Andrew returns to cage with a win
MMA featherweight figher, Andrew Smith, is confident about his future in the sport.
GLENWOOD MMA fighter, Andrew Smith, recently won his fight at the Maximum Fighting Championships at Greyville Racecourse, following a year’s break from the sport.
Andrew, who fights in the featherweight category for Gorgeous Boys Hardcore (GBH), beat his opponent in the first round, taking him down with an arm bar.
“I’m proud of how I performed in this fight. I wanted to finish him quickly and so I did. I believe in something my sensai Rhyne Hassan has taught me and that is that the result is in God’s hands, but the performance is all on you, and that just inspired me. I’m 20 years young now and I’m getting better and better, I’ve got a record of seven wins, one loss, and that’s just the beginning for me,” said Andrew.
Andrew took time off from March 2014 after breaking his hand, and has been coaching sports at DPHS.
“It took me six weeks to heal, which was followed by light training and no fighting. I have been training hard and pushing myself since December. I thought I’d have a bit of cage rust in this fight, I was nervous, but confident. I went in and trusted my training. I went there to do my job, but you can never be sure you will win, anything can happen. This sport is more mental than physical, it is about calculating angles and knowing when to throw a punch,” he said.
Andrew’s interest in the sport started when he was young and was watching YouTube videos. A pop up mentioned the Ultimate Fighting Championship and he thought it may help with his discipline. “I was cocky and had a bad attitude at school,” he said.
“I started with the Shurikan MMA, which is a private group. I approached GBH and spoke to the sensei, who said he would see how I did. I persevered and worked hard, and six months down the line I had a big fight, which I really enjoyed. A year later the sensei said he would make me into a champion, which he did!” said Andrew who was crowned MFC SA featherweight champion last year.
“My parents are proud of me, although my mom would prefer I didn’t do this! My dad hasn’t missed a fight, and I get nervous if I’m in the change room and he doesn’t pop his head in!” he said.
Andrew’s next step is getting his pro license to fight professionally and internationally in the EFC (extreme fighting championship).
“You get judges to judge you on your skill, wrestling, and your knowledge about the sport, and then you are able to get your licence to fight in the EFC,” he said.
