A matchup between two Calgary fighters is heading north to Edmonton, Alta. this weekend.
Both Tim “Shady” Smith (14-10) and Matt Krayco (7-8-1) are making the three-hour drive, setting up a BTC 11 main card welterweight showdown on Sunday.
Smith said he has been following Krayco's trajectory for more than fifteen years.
"We ran on the same circuits, so I've crossed paths with him at plenty of events—Rumble in the Cage back in '06 and '07, for example," Smith told MMA Empire during a phone interview.
"We've recognized each other throughout our careers."
The 38-year-old acknowledges he's facing a genuine test, even though he respects Krayco's approach to the sport.
"Honestly, I'm a big admirer of his game. If I wasn't stepping into that cage with him, I'd be watching on the couch. He brings excitement with brutal striking and impressive durability," Smith noted.
"He's a tough competitor, so I'll need to show up at my peak. That's exactly what I've been drilling in camp."
Smith's previous appearance came in 2019, following a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. He attributed the result of his comeback outing to difficult personal circumstances.
"The period from 2015 through 2019 was rough—a dark chapter," Smith admitted. "Drug addiction pulled me away from the path. I was still hitting the gym, but I had no team or gym affiliation. I was essentially homeless and burned everything I'd worked for."
"I managed to turn things around in 2019, but I jumped into a bout too quickly. Four years away, then only ten weeks training with a new gym, and I took the fight. I was attending rehab, weighed 220 pounds, yet agreed to step in at 185. My entire camp revolved around cutting weight. I lost because I hadn't prepared properly. Since that night, I've dedicated myself to rebuilding as a fighter for a real comeback. I've been working hard under new coaches Brad Cardinal and Justin Basra at Cardinal MMA, plus Eric Hussey at Mike Miles Muay Thai."
Beyond respecting Krayco's style, Smith recognizes he must match or surpass his rival's endurance to walk out victorious on Saturday.
"He's got incredible stamina—he's gone the distance against elite competition before. I'm not sleeping on him at all," Smith observed.
Looking ahead, Smith already has plans beyond this bout.
"I take things one fight at a time, but I do have targets in mind. I want another championship—specifically the 165-pound Unified (MMA) belt," Smith declared.
"This bout is for BTC, and if a belt is on the line in the future, I'll pursue it. But my primary focus is returning to Unified MMA and capturing the 165-pound title."
For now, however, all attention remains on the fight with Krayco—a matchup Smith believes will deliver entertainment value.
"I expect an explosive, back-and-forth war," Smith predicted.
"Fans are in for a treat. Anyone familiar with the local MMA scene knows Smith versus Krayco is a must-watch."
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