More than 16 years have passed since Tim Smith stepped into the octagon for his professional debut, yet the veteran shows absolutely no intention of fading from the sport.
Calgary, Alta.'s Smith (16-12) is set to battle Nick Hrabec (8-5) in the Unified MMA 49 co-main event on Saturday evening in Edmonton, Alta.
Headlining a co-main slot in Canada's premier MMA promotion at 39 years old isn't just an honor—it's validation that Smith firmly believes he still earns a spot on the UFC Fight Pass roster.
"This is a major opportunity for both of us. We're getting a big platform to showcase what we can do," said Smith during a conversation with MMA Empire. "But honestly, this is where I belong. When I'm on a Unified card, I see myself in the co-main, the main event, or right below it."
"I've headlined quite a few Unified cards before, and I'm in far better shape and possess far greater skill than I did back then. The team surrounding me now, my game just keeps elevating, and I continue improving. Yes, I'm older in this sport, but my game only gets sharper. I'm training alongside talented younger fighters who are all moving up in this business, and we're building something together."
Smith's most recent outing came at Unified MMA 44, where he claimed his first victory since 2013—a unanimous decision victory over Curtis Demarce that earned the title of Fight of the Year for Canadian MMA.
Beyond returning to the win column, Smith said that night meant something deeply personal.
"That was a monumental win for me. I had so much to prove to myself—that I remained elite in Unified MMA and across the Canadian MMA landscape. It validated everything I'd been putting in the work for. Training with Jake Peacock at Dunamis, working with Randy Chung at Kodokan BJJ, maintaining year-round conditioning with Kenny Dusseault, following my sports nutritionist's guidance, training under coach TJW, spending significant time with Josh Hill from Cerebral Champion as my mental performance coach, and drilling wrestling with Justin Basra. I walked into that fight with tremendous confidence, knowing I had something to prove, and I'd come out of retirement specifically for that bout to demonstrate I still had the stuff," said Smith.
"After a massive victory like that—Curtis is a seasoned vet who hits hard, it was an incredibly difficult fight that went the distance, and my cardio and conditioning were outstanding. My weight cut was perfect, everything clicked. It gave me enormous momentum to keep rolling forward, continue doing what works, and keep developing with this incredible team supporting me. My primary objective now is reclaiming a belt and proving I remain elite at Unified."
In terms of the numbers, this marks Smith's 29th professional bout—a career that stretches all the way back to 2006.
Smith carries roughly twice the fight experience of Hrabec and has tested himself against numerous formidable opponents. He believes that depth of experience, both general and against quality competition, will play a decisive role on fight night.
"I've shared the cage with the finest fighters this country has produced, and experience is always a massive advantage. This will be my thirty-second professional fight. Nick remains a dangerous competitor—he possesses knockout power, exceptional range, and devastating striking. He presents numerous threats, but I genuinely believe I'm simply too much for him to manage," said Smith.
"He's definitely climbing a rung in competition level, and I respect him for accepting this challenge. He deserves this spot. He deserves to face higher-level opposition to gauge where he stands, but it's going to be a terrible night for him, without question."
Beyond accumulating wins inside the cage over the past decade plus, Smith has conquered equally significant battles outside it—including a severe struggle with drug addiction.
Though stepping inside the cage remains inherently risky, Smith explained that the hardships he's endured and overcome outside the Octagon fuel his motivation and provide inner peace whenever he prepares for a fight today.
"Being inside the cage is always a perilous environment, but that's my sanctuary. Everything I've gone through—the addiction recovery and all of it—I reflect on that whenever I'm backstage, and it fills me with profound gratitude for receiving a second chance at life, for still competing at this level at my age, and for recognizing how different things could've been had I not transformed my existence," said Smith.
"It pushes me, inspires me, and gives me that extra fuel when I step in there. Understanding where I could've ended up versus where I am now, I feel I have so much to prove—to myself, to my supporters, to everyone who backs me. Countless people believed in me, and for years I didn't believe in myself. Now I carry that self-belief, and it's incredibly powerful. I'm absolutely eager to get in there, unleash, and absolutely blow the roof off that venue."
Shoutouts to Smith
"My entire family, all my friends, everyone who's stood by me—Fresh Start Recovery Centre, Dunamis Kickboxing, Kodokan BJJ, Dusseault Strength and Conditioning, coach TJW, Josh Hill at Cerebral Champion, JPB Inc., Justin Basra, and the Gold's Gym fight team." Connect with Smith on social media: INSTAGRAM
