Scott Smith vs. Patrick Cote (Pictures)

Scott Smith (10-2-0) has trained in many schools to keep his technique sharp, but he currently trains Muay Thai at the Fairtex Academy with Gunyao Fairtex and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Ultimate Fitness.

Smith, who resides in Sacramento, Calif., won both the WEC light heavyweight championship (by winning a four-man tournament) and the Gladiator Challenge heavyweight belt, but dropped down to middleweight to fight in the UFC.

In Smith’s UFC debut he suffered a controversial submission loss to David Terrell (Pictures) due to a referee’s error. A few months later he was a TUF 4 cast member.

The loss to Terrell coupled with the reality show opportunity motivated Scott to focus on winning the middleweight contract. Unfortunately Smith’s stint on the show was short-lived as Travis Lutter (Pictures) quickly submitted him.

Needing a big win to keep him afloat, Smith faced fellow TUF 4 fighter Pete Sell (Pictures) and knocked him cold in the second round. It was Scott’s second knockout in 10 months and the seventh of his career, reinforcing his reputation as a dangerous striker.

Pugilist Patrick Cote (Pictures) served in the Canadian Army for five years before ever taking part in his chosen profession. He is the current TKO light heavyweight champion, KOTC Canadian light heavyweight champion and the MFC world middleweight champion. The boxer and jiu-jitsu purple belt fights as part of the Canadian chapter of the Brazilian Top Team with Fabio Holanda (Pictures), Stephan Potvin (Pictures), Stephane Vigneault (Pictures) and others.

Despite being 0-4 in the UFC (8-4 overall), no one could say the TUF 4 veteran doesn’t belong back in the cage. His debut at UFC 50 was supposed to be a prelim match-up with Marvin Eastman (Pictures) but an injury to Guy Mezger (Pictures) and some encouragement from the UFC brass placed Cote into the headliner bout with Tito Ortiz (Pictures). He lost a decision but hung tough with the former champ (even dropping Tito early) and he was invited back.

He would lose consecutive bouts at middleweight against fellow Canadian Joe Doerksen (Pictures) (via submission) and Chris Leben (Pictures) (via split decision), but both bouts went into the third round and it gave him the confidence to continue fighting.

Cote continued to hone his boxing and kickboxing skills during TUF 4, defeating Jorge Rivera (Pictures) and Edwin Dewees (Pictures). The Canadian hopeful earned his way into the finals against Travis Lutter (Pictures), but his shot was over in a relative blink. Cote stuffed the initial takedown attempt but he was grounded and armbarred in less than two and a half minutes, which Lutter predicted.

Smith likely has the better hands but I believe the overall quality of fight game belongs to Cote. When the fight hits the mat, Cote needs to stay on top because he doesn’t want the heavy hands of Smith raining down on his face.

On the flipside, Smith can’t afford to allow Cote to get his back. Given the fact he’s lost two fights in the same fashion, it would be no exaggeration to say Smith’s Achilles’ heel is fighting off his back.

Neither guy is submission proof but Smith has more to prove at this level. And though he is proud of his grappling skills, Smith has just three submission wins (two as a pro) in his MMA career, so if he can’t finish it standing it will likely go the distance. Cote by submission, likely a rear-naked choke.