After fighting for three years as a professional on the regional circuit, Cole Smith got the call to debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He faced Mitch Gagnon at UFC Fight Night 151 on May 4 in Ottawa, Ontario, and went on to win by unanimous decision. During the post-fight scrum, he answered the usual questions, but his outspokenness on one particular issue -- fighter pay -- stood out.
“This sport sucks, man,” Smith said. “It’s bulls--- that someone in the NBA who doesn’t even touch the court is getting 600 grand, while I’m out here fighting my ass off, and I’m getting 10 [grand].