Maurice Smith (fighter) facts for kids

Maurice Smith (born December 13, 1961) is a famous American athlete who used to compete in kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). He was known for his powerful strikes and became a champion in both sports. In kickboxing, he won several world titles, including the WKC Light Heavyweight, WKA Heavyweight, and ISKA Heavyweight championships. In MMA, he held the Heavyweight championship in Battlecade Extreme Fighting and the UFC. Maurice Smith was even added to the UFC Hall of Fame in 2017, which is a huge honor! He competed professionally from 1980 to 2013.

Maurice Smith's Athletic Journey

Maurice Smith grew up in Seattle, Washington. When he was 13, he became interested in martial arts after watching a movie called Chinese Connection starring Bruce Lee. He started training in different styles like karate, kung fu, and taekwondo. When he turned 18, he discovered kickboxing and knew that was the sport for him.

Maurice also played football and did gymnastics while attending West Seattle High School. These activities helped him become a strong and agile athlete.

Maurice Smith's Kickboxing Career

Maurice Smith started his kickboxing journey by winning his first seven amateur fights. This success led him to become a professional fighter. His first professional match was on March 4, 1982, against Tony Morelli, who was the World Kickboxing Council's Light Heavyweight Champion. Maurice lost that fight, but he learned an important lesson about needing better stamina.

Fourteen months later, Maurice had a rematch with Tony Morelli. This time, Maurice was much stronger and won by knockout, becoming the new champion! Later that year, he fought the famous Don "The Dragon" Wilson in Japan. Even though Maurice lost, he showed everyone that he was a rising star in kickboxing. He then moved up a weight class and won the World Kickboxing Association Heavyweight Championship.

Maurice had an amazing streak, going ten years without a loss! In 1991, he had a big win against Stan Longinidis, who was a very tough fighter. Maurice won that match after being knocked down early in the fight, showing his incredible determination.

In 1993, Maurice was invited to the K-1 Grand Prix '93, a major tournament with some of the best kickboxers in the world. He won his first match but was later knocked out by the legendary fighter Ernesto Hoost in the semifinals.

Maurice Smith's Mixed Martial Arts Journey

Maurice Smith first experienced mixed rules fighting in 1989 in Japan. He fought Minoru Suzuki and won by knockout. This event was very popular and sold out the Tokyo Dome!

In 1993, Maurice started competing in Pancrase, an early mixed martial arts organization. He learned a lot about grappling and ground fighting, which are key parts of MMA. He became good friends with Ken Shamrock, another famous fighter. Ken sent Maurice to his training gym, the Lion's Den, to learn more about MMA.

There, Maurice met Frank Shamrock, and they formed a strong bond. Frank helped Maurice improve his ground fighting skills, and Maurice helped Frank with his striking. Together with Japanese fighter Tsuyoshi Kohsaka, they created their own MMA team called The Alliance.

In 1996, Maurice joined Battlecade Extreme Fighting. He fought the Heavyweight Champion Marcus "Conan" Silveira. Maurice used his skills to stop Silveira from taking him to the ground and eventually knocked him out. This made Maurice the Extreme Fighting Heavyweight Champion and showed that a striker could win big in MMA.

After defending his title, Maurice joined the UFC, which is the biggest MMA organization in the United States.

UFC Heavyweight Champion

At UFC 14 in 1997, Maurice Smith faced UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman. Most people thought Maurice would lose, but he surprised everyone by winning the fight! He became the UFC Heavyweight Champion and proved that a fighter who mainly uses strikes could beat a world-class wrestler. Maurice used smart techniques to defend himself on the ground, tiring out Coleman, and then won the fight with his striking.

Maurice successfully defended his title against David "Tank" Abbott. He later lost his belt to Randy Couture in a very close fight.

Maurice Smith's Return to MMA

After a break, Maurice Smith returned to MMA in 2007. He won against Marco Ruas by TKO in a rematch. In 2008, he also defeated kickboxer Rick Roufus by submission.

Maurice Smith was a coach for the Seattle Tiger Sharks team in the International Fight League from 2006 to 2007. He is still connected with Team Alliance.

In 2012, Maurice returned to fighting as a Light Heavyweight and won by knockout. He fought again in 2013 as a Heavyweight but lost by decision.

Maurice Smith's Achievements

Maurice Smith achieved many great things in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Kickboxing Achievements

• K-1
  • Won the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix Preliminary USA tournament.
  • Reached the semifinals of the K-1 World Grand Prix '93 Tournament.
• International Sport Karate Association
  • Became the I.S.K.A. World Muay Thai Heavyweight Champion in 1996.
• World Kickboxing Association
  • Won the W.K.A. World Kickboxing Heavyweight Championship in 1983.
  • Became the W.K.A. World Muay Thai Heavyweight Champion in 1994.
• Other Titles
  • Won the W.K.C. Light-Heavyweight World Championship in 1983.

Mixed Martial Arts Achievements

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame (Pioneer wing, Class of 2017).
  • Won the UFC Heavyweight Championship one time.
  • Successfully defended his UFC Heavyweight title once.
  • Received the UFC Encyclopedia Award for Fight of the Night (for his fight against Mark Coleman).
• Extreme Fighting
  • Won the Extreme Fighting Heavyweight Championship against Marcus "Conan" Silveira.
  • Successfully defended the Extreme Fighting Heavyweight Championship against Kazunari Murakami.
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Named the 1997 Most Outstanding Fighter.
  • His fight against Mark Coleman on July 27, 1997, was named the 1997 Fight of the Year.
• Black Belt Magazine
  • Named the 2001 Full-Contact Fighter of the Year.