Scott Smith Lands on His Feet

(Smith during his last UFC appearance, against Ed Herman at UFC 72. Photo courtesy of slam.canoe.ca.)

Though most of his former EliteXC stablemates are still in contract limbo, two-time middleweight title challenger Scott Smith (13-5) has managed to book his next fight. “Hands of Steel” will be taking on fellow UFC vet Terry Martin (18-5) at Strikeforce’s “Destruction” card, which will be held at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on November 21st. According to the press release we received this morning:

Despite the short notice he was given for the meeting with Martin, Smith claims he will enter the fight in better condition that he did for [his most recent] meeting with [Robbie] Lawler, as he had already been preparing for a bout on November 8th that was subsequently canceled.

“My teammates said you got to stick in there and be ready to fight at any time and that’s what I did. I think fighting two weeks later is better for me and is perfect timing…He’s a better boxer and I’m a better kickboxer. I want to keep the fight standing. I know he likes to stand and bang so it’s looking to be a slugfest.”

While Smith is coming off his loss to Lawler at EliteXC: Unfinished Business in July, Martin is coming off his successful Strikeforce debut — at September’s Strikeforce at the Mansion II event — in which he knocked out Cory Devela in the third round. Since he exited the UFC earlier this year, Martin has also competed for Adrenaline MMA and Affliction.

Strikeforce: Destruction was originally supposed to be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Josh Thomson and Yves Edwards, but Thomson recently suffered torn ligaments in his toe during training and was forced to pull out of the match. Replacing him will be Duane Ludwig, who has agreed to step in on short notice and fight Edwards in a non-title bout at a catch-weight of 164 pounds.

Also on the card: Bobby Southworth defends his light-heavyweight title against Renato Sobral, Kim Couture takes on Lina Kvokov, and Joe Riggs faces Luke Stewart in a welterweight match. The event will be broadcast live on HDNet beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.