CFFC champ Blake Smith says a nearly tragic ending has given him new focus: 'I'm just blessed to be here'
CFFC lightweight champion Blake Smith carries a simple message for anyone he meets these days: Take nothing for granted.
Sure, it's a sentiment that's often echoed as a reminder to be appreciative of everything we have in life, but for Smith, it's a realization that was driven home with him on April 14, 2022 – the day he nearly had it all taken away.
"I got into a car accident back in April, and I almost lost my life," Smith said. "It was bad. I got cut off. The car that cut me off was stolen. God was with me that day. I literally saw the 18 wheeler coming."
Leaving his day job as a painter, Smith was on his way to a skate party for his daughter. As he was driving down the highway, the stolen vehicle cut in front of him, forcing Smith to swerve to avoid a collision. When his vehicle struck the median, it flipped, first on to the driver's side and then completely upside down.
"Three-lane highway, and I just skated all the way across it," Smith recalled. "Then I saw the 18 wheeler coming towards me, and it just missed me. I'm just blessed to be here."
Miraculously, Smith wasn't injured in the accident. He climbed out of his truck and surveyed the scene, where he immediately realized his good fortune.
"It just looked like a movie – like the clouds were closing up," Smith said. "I thanked God, and then the 18 wheeler, that guy, he got out. He was literally taking up the road because the main part of his truck was almost on the median, and then the bed of his truck was almost on the other side of the median. He was blocking traffic, and I was just glad to get out."
Smith said the incident put life into perspective and has given him an even greater focus in all aspects of his journey.
"It was surreal," Smith said. "Take nothing for granted each day – the good and the bad. The bad will make you appreciate the good even more.
"Just never give up. I haven't given up on my dream. Things will happen, and that's why the accident happened: just to make my faith stronger."
Armed with that realization, Smith (7-2) is now ready to resume his fighting career. The reigning champ puts his belt on the line against Kendly St. Louis (6-4) in the main event of CFFC 114, which airs live on UFC FIGHT PASS on Thursday, Nov. 10, from Florida's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
Smith claimed the title with an upset win over then-champ Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov this past September and then defended the belt against an undefeated Paris Artis in March and aims to make another statement with his performance against St. Louis to prove he's ready for an invitation to the sport's biggest promotions.
“I feel like the uncrowned king, to be honest," Smith said. "I feel like I should have gotten the call already. Should have, could have, would have, but I didn't, so I'm going to make the best of this opportunity and honestly go put this guy away. That's just the goal.
"This is the third time that I'm training for a possible five-round fight, and that's different to do. That's not like a regular three-round fight. You have to be mentally prepared to go 25 minutes if need be, so that right there helped me grow as a martial artist and as a person, as well."
A second title defense would certainly help Smith's chances of reaching his goals. After all, CFFC champions don't often stay with the promotion long, with big-show offers almost always following shortly behind. Smith has no doubt he'll reach that dream, especially after nearly having it all come to a horrible end.
"I'm going to make the best of my opportunity," Smith said. "That accident didn't take me out, so there's no way Kendly can take me out. God has big things in store for me, so I'm ready."
