“A massive passion of mine” - Jacob Smith reveals playing for the academies of two top-flight English clubs before finding Muay Thai

Jacob Smith always had a knack for kicking stuff, and before he found himself immersed in Muay Thai he was trying to put his skills on the pitch.

The British star revealed he was once on the first steps of becoming a professional football player after playing in the academies of two of England's most celebrated clubs.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Smith said he once suited up for the academy teams of Blackburn Rovers and Everton Football Club when he was a schoolboy.

He said:

"I played for a couple of professional academy teams as a kid. Blackburn Rovers, Everton Football Club, yeah. So, I absolutely love it so much. It’s a massive passion of mine."

Although he's since left those footballing dreams behind, Jacob Smith stressed that his love for the sport will always remain.

Smith, though, ultimately chose a career in martial arts, and that dream brought him to the world's biggest stage.

The man from Birkenhead, England, is headed to the biggest fight of his career as he contends for a piece of ONE Championship gold against one of the promotion's greatest-ever champions.

Smith will challenge familiar foe Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title in the co-main event of ONE 169 on November 8 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

Rodtang and Smith already fought once at ONE 157 in the quarterfinals of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix in 2022.

Smith, however, lost in his first matchup against the Thai megastar and he's hellbent on avenging that defeat in his quest for ONE Championship gold.

ONE 169 is available live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

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Jacob Smith says he has something big in store for Rodtang at ONE 169

Armed with the familiarity after facing Rodtang once, Jacob Smith said he put on the perfect game plan to take down the Thai megastar.

Smith told Sportskeeda MMA that he already has the schemes to snatch the ONE flyweight Muay Thai world title from Rodtang, but he didn't expound on what he plans to do once they touch gloves inside the Lumpinee Stadium.

He said:

"I'm not going to tell you what I'm doing in my fight camp or what I have done in my fight camp to overcome Rodtang. You guys just gotta witness it in the fight."