Jake Smith is one of Portland’s most outspoken fighters. He is brash, without going completely over the line; he is just as quick to crack a joke as he is to throw a punch. But for all the jokes and the confident (sometimes cocky) attitude, Jake Smith is a fighter who wants to win for his team and put on a show for the fans.
After winning the Knucklehead Fights Welterweight title this past March, Smith made it clear that he would be a fighting champion. Now just three months later, he gets to be just that when he makes his first title defense on Saturday, June 25th at Knucklehead Fights 15 in Salem.
Jake Smith is known throughout the state of Oregon as a fighter with legitimate knockout power. When you have a reputation for being one of the hardest hitting fighters in the state, and you train with guys like Mike Pierce and Rick Story, that’s saying something. But this reputation hasn’t always been beneficial for him. Over the course of his professional career, it has made it hard for him to find fights. When I spoke to Smith this week, he told me that he feels like he has reached a point in his career where people really want to see him fight. As a result, promoters are willing to go the extra step to try and book fights for him. He is taking full advantage of this newfound luxury, having already booked a fight beyond next Saturday’s title defense. Two fights booked, both for titles, no big deal, said Smith.
“Having two title fights booked honestly isn’t that big of a deal [to me]. I have a belt to defend on the 25th and I have a [second] belt to take home in October.”
The team at Gracie Barra Portland has only bolstered the confidence of Smith. He is 1-0 since joining the new gym, and he seems to love the atmosphere of his new home. When I asked him how his training camp has been, he was quick to praise the growing Portland based fight team.
“I’m really loving the new team at Gracie Barra. It’s one big family and I love the, ‘if you aren’t with us you’re against us’ mentality. It fits me perfectly.”
Smith has high hopes that his new team and recent opportunities to fight more regularly will be just what he needs to propel himself to the next stage of his career. In fact, he’s banking on in. He recently hired a nutritionist and as well as a strength and conditioning coach for the first time in his career, wisely investing in himself and his future. Currently a welterweight, Smith sees a transition to lightweight in his future, as he believes that is where the next phase of his career will take place. With two welterweight bouts on the books, he is simply thinking three steps ahead. He has already shed some weight ahead of his title defense and with less of a weight cut awaiting him, fans might see a new version of him when he enters the cage in Salem next weekend.
Regardless of what weight class Smith decides to compete at, he isn’t shy about letting you know he believes he is the best at either weight.
“At 155 or 170 lbs I am the best in the Pacific Northwest. [If that] upsets a few guys hopefully we can scrap for the bragging rights.”
Jake Smith may be a bit cocky but that cockiness meshes well with his more reasonable side. The mix might be closer to 70/30 than it is 50/50, but you don’t want a diluted version of Jake Smith, do you? I know I don’t.
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