Redemption is waiting for Nick Hrabec at Unified 56

Mar 11, 2024

EDMONTON — Redemption is waiting for Nick “The Savage” Hrabec at Unified 56.

On March 22 at River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, AB, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass, the Edmonton product will have his shot at revenge against Tim “Shady” Smith, who defeated Hrabec via second-round TKO in their first meeting in 2019.

“The Savage” isn’t one to make excuses, but Hrabec was nursing a herniated disc in his matchup with Smith.

“During the fight, when Tim took me down, my back popped even worse, so I had to have surgery after my fight,” says Hrabec, who estimates he was performing at 50-percent against Smith.

“Now that I’ve got my surgery and my back isn’t broken, there’s no excuse.”

Hrabec, who now trains fulltime under the Shaved Bears banner, sees his encore performance with Smith ending in a very different fashion than the first.

“I’m finishing this fight — either in the first or second round,” he says.

“I don’t know how I’m going to finish it. It could be a knockout or a submission. Whatever opportunity presents itself first, I’m going to jump on it. This fight isn’t going to the judges; it’s going to be a finish, 100-percent.” 

ABOUT UNIFIED MMA

Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 55 events across Canada since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.