COLLEGE STATION, TX, January 24, 2012 –As head coach of Bryan/College Station’s Team Unleashed fight team, Carl Perry considers himself as the type of guy that’s been around the fight game for a long time. Starting as a boxer in the early 1990’s, he would them move on to training mixed martial arts in the “No Holds Barred” days before eventually moving on to fight professionally in small shows in the southwest region.

“I love this sport because it is the purest form of competition ever,” he says. He also says he wasn’t sure if he could do it anymore after his first fight for IMKF this past year, a decision loss to Kyle Simpson – who’s now a teammate of his. “I considered retirement but decided to give it one more round.”

That round turned into a ‘knockout of the night’ performance at King of the Cage in Norman, Oklahoma and now Carl Perry is back, ready to do it all over again.

We recently caught up with the Team Unleashed head coach regarding his upcoming fight at Immortal Kombat II: Seek and Destroy versus Brazilian Top Team’s Matt Jones this Saturday at the Woodlands Competitive Edge Sports Center.

Interview – Carl Perry (Team Unleashed)

Tell us a little bit about your background in combat sports. When did you get started?

I actually started out boxing back in the early 90’s with Coach Joe Martinez (recently Coached the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team). Then I took on MMA, or at that time “No Holds Barred” competition in the early 2000’s. From there I ran into some shoulder injuries and took several years off. In 2009, I began my journey back to the world of MMA. Since then I’ve had the honor to fight for King of the Cage, Cage of Rage, Art of War, and Immortal Kombat.

Sounds like you’ve been around. What’s your best memory as a fighter so far?

My most memorable moment recently happened on December 17th when I got Knockout of the Night at King of the Cage “Steel Curtain.” The most difficult was by far when I lost at Immortal Kombat against, now teammate, Kyle Simpson. I had so many mixed emotions about whether or not I could still compete at this level. I considered retirement, but decided to give it “One More Round”. Thanks to Julio Avila for inspiring me again.

So why do you keep doing it? What do you love about this sport?

I love this sport because it is the purest form of competition ever. Man vs. Man, Me vs. Him. Win or lose, it’s completely on me and no one else. My coaches and teammates prepare me, but it is up to me to perform at the expected level. I consider myself to be a freestyle fighter. Fans can expect to see me give everything in the cage with no excuses. Example, when I fought Kyle, I actually broke my left foot (3 places) and nose and within the first 45 seconds of our fight, and still went the distance. No one outside of the promotion and my team really knew about the injuries.

You’re involved in MMA outside of just being a fighter right? What else do you do with your time outside of training?

I am the founder and owner of Team Unleashed MMA in College Station. When I’m not training, I’m researching and taking care of the business side of the gym that no one sees. I love to spend time with my beautiful children, Haley, Jackie, and Skyler. My son Jackie also competes as an amateur boxer in Texas and MMA in Louisiana. Lookout for him in the future, he is a beast!

Anything in particular you’re looking to accomplish in the near future?

I want to compete sometime before the end of 2012 in Japan. I’ve fought on the national stage with King of the Cage, and I want to step up to a higher level organization.

How do you feel about this upcoming fight at IMKF and how’s camp been? Who’s been helping you prepare?

First, I want to thank Jake Latimer for bringing me back for his second show. I feel great about this upcoming fight with IMKF. Camp has been nonstop since late October. I was scheduled to fight November 19th in Oklahoma, but the fight got cancelled days before. Then I was offered the King of the Cage fight, so camp continued. After that fight, I took 2 days off, and got back on the grind and been there ever since. My camps consist of James DeHerrera and Coach Joe with my stand-up, and Brandon Hanna, Kyle Simpson, Ben Crook, Jake Ivey, and Ian Lueckemeyer all contributing to my ground game. It has been a total effort from all my teammates. I am blessed to have all of them in my corner.

What do you know about opponent this Saturday, Matt Jones?

Honestly, I don’t know anything about Matt Jones. I hear he is a respectful guy, and he trains out BTT in San Antonio.

Any predictions as far as how you see this fight turning out?

I have played all the possible outcomes in my head over and over, and they all end with my hand in the air. Just ready to glove up!

What’s next for you after this?

After this fight, I am scheduled to fight for King of the Cage “Prohibited” on March 17th vs. Chris “Bones” Jones in Norman, Oklahoma.

Any last words before Saturday?

I would like to thank God, my family, friends, fans, and, most importantly, my teammates for pushing me every day in the gym. Without all their great influences in my life, I would be nothing. I love you all!!!

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