By Nigel Maxwell

La Ronge MMA fighter prepares for Coronation

Feb 9, 2016 | 5:40 AM

A La Ronge MMA fighter is preparing for his next step up the ladder.

Devon Smith, 27, will co-main next month’s Queen City Coronation in Regina. 

Smith (3-1) is facing 31-year-old Keith Smetana (9-6) from Ohio. 

“He’s got a ton more experience than me. I’ve watched a few of his fights, and he’s been pretty vocal about how’s he going to beat me,” Smith said.

Smith is known more as a striker. He has a strong background in kickboxing, dating to when he was living in Thailand in 2009. He made the transition to mixed martial arts when he moved back to Canada in 2011.

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“I did very well and then it became apparent that (my ground game) was my weakness and I started to get taken down. I started losing fights that way so I transitioned to a mixed martial arts gym in Lethbridge.”

Since then Smith said he’s been working hard on his wrestling and ju-jitsu.

When asked about Smetana’s comments on social media, Smith shrugged it off, admitting he gets involved too.

“He’s been vocal about how he’s going to beat me and I’ve been the same way with him. I don’t think there are bad feelings there but I think at the same time by saying all this, it sort of gives us that accountability. Now that I’ve said that, I don’t want to look like a fool and not be able to follow through on it,” Smith said.

There are ten fights on the card next month.

Ryan Rohovich (1-3), who trains at LDP Martial Arts in Prince Albert will fight Lloydminster’s Myles Andersen (0-3). It’s a lightweight division match.

The event taking place on March 12 at the Orr Centre in Regina, is the second event of its kind in Saskatchewan hosted by Prestige FC.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Regina Tickets at (306) 515-4333 or at The Orr Centre box office.

VIP Tables & Tickets are exclusively available by calling (306) 580-0340.
 

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell