Smith wins amateur MMA title in Kamiah

KAMIAH — It was a banner day for Black Bear MMA at the recent Rise of the Warrior fights in Kamiah, as the Sandpoint-based squad went 3-0 and claimed the Best Team Award and Corner Man of the Night Award.

Kody Smith, 21, ran his MMA record to 4-1, bringing the Unified Combat League 135 pound title back to Sandpoint. Smith won by TKO at the end of the second round, wearing Diego Valverde down with precision takedowns and solid stand up striking.

Smith, who attacked from the opening bell, finally wore down Valverde with some ground and pound, ending the bout via rear-naked choke.

Former Sandpoint state champion wrestler Tim Pepperdine ran his MMA record to 5-4, defeating Keko Busk in a 130 pound fight.

Pepperdine’s plan going into the fight was to “bang a little with him,” but he quickly resorted to wrestling  and promptly took Busk to the ground. A flurry of ground and pound followed, and as Busk staggered back to his corner at the end of the first round the referee stopped the fight.

Mike McCray, 37 made it a clean sweep for Black Bear, running his record to 1-1 after beating Casey Hall in the 155 pound weight class.

McCray came out early and quickly took control, punching and connecting with knee strikes. McCray used a hip toss to throw Hall to the ground, and not long after secured a rear naked choke. Hall refused to tap out and the ref didn’t stop the fight, and McCray ultimately put his opponent to sleep.  

Jon Hale, also a member of Black Bear, was awarded the Corner Man of the Night Award, coaching and preparing all three teammates to victory.

A host of Black Bear fighters will return to the cage in Spokane on Friday, Feb. 1. Sandpoint fighter Ethan Hazan will also be defending his title on an upcoming King of the Cage fight card at the Coeur d’Alene Casino on Feb. 21.

Hazan’s fight will be on the undercard of a title defense by Coeur d’Alene MMA legend Trevor Prangley, who trains with Black Bear on occasion. Hale is also slated to fight on the same card.

Black Bear owner Ted Greenblott said as many as three Sandpoint fighters could be in action at the Casino.