The second installment of Kumite Combate, set for January 20 in the Southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, has more than just third chapter of the trilogy between José “Pelé” Landy and Jorge “Macaco” Patino in the works.
There’s another match-up pitting two stars from the early days of MMA against each other. Former UFC fighter Tim Hague announced this December 22 that he has signed with the promotion, and he’ll be taking on the legendary Maurice Smith, a former UFC champion and kickboxing world champion.
The Canadian Hague was released from octagon duty earlier this year after suffering a knockout at the hands of Matt Mitrione, going on to submit Vince Lucero with a guillotine choke at AMMA 8 last September.
Now the seasoned Smith, 50, retired back in 2000, but he would again lace up his gloves in 2007, when he took on and beat another legend of MMA’s past, Marco Ruas. With 12 MMA wins on his ledger, he has not stepped into the cage since 2008. Another fighter confirmed for the event is the promising Eduardo “Cachorrão,” fighting out of Dragon Fight/Nova União in the Brazilian state of Ceará.
What do you think, dear reader, does Maurice Smith still have what it takes? Watch the stalwart striker in action during the early days of the sport, in the video below:
