In only one short year Steven “Ocho” Peterson (3-1) has managed to capture the imagination of MMA fans here in North Texas. In fact, we profiled him on this site last year prior to his fight at Bellator 27. Since then, Peterson has enthralled fans locally on two XKO cards and has quickly amassed a fan base for his “balls to the wall” approach to fighting. This Saturday night, Peterson steps into the cage for his biggest fight to date as he battles local bad ass Douglas Frey for the vacant XKO bantamweight championship. North Texas Fisticuffs caught up with Peterson to get his thoughts on heading into this huge fight.
North Texas Fisticuffs: So first of all, how is training going?
Steven Peterson: Training has been going great. I feel like I peaked last week and I’m at the top of my game. It should be a great fight.
NTF: How did you get the nickname, “Ocho?”
SP: In high school I was on the football team, I moved to Texas my sophomore year, I jumped on the football team and nobody knew who I was. So, they just called me ‘Ocho.’
NTF: Now, this is a big fight. You are taking on Douglas Frey for the XKO bantamweight championship. Does that provide any extra motivation in training?
SP: I’m hoping that this fight boosts me up to the higher levels of the game.
NTF: So let’s get into your back story. How did you get into MMA?
SP: Well, basically I used to get into fights all the time. I just liked to fight. I would fight my friends for fun and I decided to get into MMA because I figured I’d be good at it. It’s just worked out for me. I just keep getting better.
NTF: So, how long have you been training in the sport of MMA?
SP: It’s been three years now.
NTF: You train out of North Dallas MMA, correct?
SP: Correct.
NTF: What is that scene like and how have they helped you prepare for your career as a professional fighter?
SP: The team is really supportive. They help get me ready and push me, and I have great coaches JD Shelley and KRU Carlos Moreno. They push me day in and day out and keep me going. They just have me ready for this fight.
NTF: So what can fans expect from Steven Peterson on Saturday night?
SP: I’m going to run right through [Frey]. It’s going to be a massacre. I don’t see any way he can even finish me. If I don’t finish him, I’ll beat his ass all five rounds. It’s a clear cut case; it’s my belt.
NTF: In closing, do you have any people you would like to thank headed into this fight?
SP: Yeah, I want to thank my sponsors: Fear Tapping Out, Jaco, Just Break It, Mr Sweet’s. I want to thank my coaches; they got me ready for this fight and my manager, Pierre Bertrand. He’s hooking me up with these fights and getting me there.
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