Jake Smythe has responded to Geoff Pavey’s threats ahead of their middleweight title fight this Saturday at UNITY Fighting Championship.
Smythe vs. Pavey is the fight we didn’t know we needed until the hype began to brew. Both men have made it clear what they think of one another’s skillset. Smythe enters the contest with a 2-0 record. However, as of late has been inactive after recovering from injuries.
UNITY FC takes place this Saturday at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington. Those attending are treated to fourteen action-packed fights.
We had the opportunity of catching up with one-half of the main event, Jake Smythe. Read the full exclusive below.
Interview With Jake Smythe
This Saturday, you make the walk for the first time in 2023. It’s been some time since we saw you last against Brandon Edwards. What have you been up to during your time away?
Training and recovering from a string of unfortunate injuries.
What’s the reasoning behind taking such a long lay-off in MMA competition from your last outing from now? Have you been consistently training during that timeframe, or has life just gotten in the way?
During my fight with Brandon, I broke my hand in 2 places and then, ten weeks later, broke it again in sparring due to not being smart and taking the doctor’s advice, which was to rest it completely for 14-16 weeks. I then had a title fight booked in November but unfortunately injured my AC joint in wrestling, which meant I was unable to fight then.
You went to the judges’ scorecards in your amateur debut. In your second bout, you bagged a first-round stoppage. In reflection, what did that mean to you to get your first win and your first dominant stoppage?
I won both of my fights, so Brandon was my second win. My win against Brandon was one I anticipated every day through camp. I trained my arse off, sparred hard and visualised winning in the first round. I was so confident I was going to win in round one that I was telling everyone backstage, including the guy wrapping my hands. I have pure belief in my power and my ability to endure pain & fatigue.
You were originally scheduled to face James Marley, but now Geoff Pavey will be in the way of you and the gold strap. Has the change of opponent affected your preparation in any way?
Geoff Pavey and James Marley both like to grapple, and they both couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag, so they are very similar in that sense. Nothing has changed in my preparation here.
Jake Smythe Talks Mindset
Do you think your role as a personal trainer translates to the octagon in any way? Off-course, they are two completely different roles/crafts, but in terms of mindset or anything like that?
I think what most people don’t realise is that I have been a competitive athlete for over a decade now. I played high-level rugby and now fight in MMA. The sport and training may differ, but I have been to the trenches many times in my conditioning workouts and sparring. My career as a pt translates to making weight as I stay in shape and don’t balloon up for obvious reasons meaning the weight cuts are much easier.
I spoke with Geoff earlier today, and it’s fair to say he didn’t rate you or have any concerns about what you bring to the octagon. He called you “a big stiff cross-fitter” and said that you pose no danger to him inside the cage. Do you have a response to that?
A man that lacks confidence in his abilities and in himself will say things like these to create the illusion that he is capable of winning. Everything he has said is a compliment. I do have the conditioning of a cross fitter, and I do have the stiffest right hand in the middleweight division. I will put any middleweight in the country to sleep with my right hand.
Now, I’ll ask you the same question as I asked Geoff. When looking at his previous bouts, what do you see in his skillset and your overall thoughts on him as an opponent?
I see an erratic man that has too many nerves when he steps into the cage. I see a man that lacks the necessary skill set and confidence to beat me. I see a man that drops his hands all the time and leaves his chin open for shots. And lastly, I see a man that claims to be a jiu-jitsu practitioner yet can’t finish a triangle.
Keys to Victory
Where do you feel the keys are to defeating Geoff Pavey on Saturday night in his home town?
In the wise words of Nate Diaz, “Go in there and hit him with some good shit.”
If you had the preference and victory of your choice, what’s more, appealing to you, going the distance and putting a beating on a man, submitting him, forcing the tap, or separating him from consciousness. What are you picking and why?
There is no preference here, only absolutes. I saw Geoff’s replies on your channel, and he is not a man that speaks in absolutes due to a lack of confidence, whereas I am. The only future I see is me winning that belt via KO. I will knock Geoff out on the feet, and I will follow him down to the ground with vicious hammer fists until his jaw is shattered or the referee pulls me off.
Finally, let the audience know why they should tune in to watch Jake Smythe and Geoff Pavey slug it out this Saturday on Unity FC.
Who doesn’t want to see a powerhouse middleweight like myself violently beat down another grown man?
Featured image credits to Cage Warriors Academy South East
