Looking further down on the main card, one of the best fights to look forward to features DFW-based veteran Steven “Ocho” Peterson taking on another prospect in rising Romanian Geo Pacurariu (interviewed here).
Both these fighters have high hopes of moving up the ladder of contention in the crowded Legacy bantamweight division, and this fight on Friday night will be very telling on the immediate futures of both with respect to that goal.
We recently caught up with “Ocho” to get his thoughts on tomorrow night’s fight.
Legacy FC 19 Interview – Steven “Ocho” Peterson (Gracie Gym)
Well I am a full-time fighter. I train my heart out 5-6 days a week 2-4 times a day. I strive to be the best and am constantly working to fix all and any holes in my game. I do the same in my personal life as well. I am far from perfect, but I always work on fixing my flaws and to be a better father to my son and a better husband to my wife.
I am extremely motivated heading into this fight. I was caught off guard by my opponent’s game plan in my last fight (versus Matt Hobar, LFC 16) but this time I am prepared for anything.
Tell us more about that. What have you changed since then and how will that translate in the cage?
I have done some new things with how I’ve been training for this one and I’ve gained some new resources and training partners. I’m not going to give all the details before the fight but I will give credit where credit is due. What I can say is that I’ve improved in all areas of my fight game. I’ve taken my training to another level and I don’t think I’m as closed-minded as I once was. I am looking to make a statement in this fight. Fight my fight, not my opponent’s. And most importantly, I want to get this win. 2013 will be my year. My goal is to step foot in the UFC cage and walk out with the win by the end of the year.
It’s definitely an interesting matchup stylistically. He is short and stalky where I am tall and longer yet I still like to get in there and bang. Will I find myself in a brawl or will I use my reach and stay on the outside? I don’t know the answer to that but I know he’ll be tough. We’ll just have to see how I choose to go about it once I get in there… Overall I think he has an impressive resume, but I will show him that I’m on another level. This is my fight to win or lose, and I will keep my composure and do what I need to do to walk out with a victory.
Any bold predictions as far as how this one ends?
Not sure, I envision many different outcomes in my mind. I see this fight being a fast-paced, exciting fight just like the rest of them have been. In all my scenarios I walk out with my hand raised. I predict I will finish it in the first or second round.
I’m going to try out for The Ultimate Fighter and hope to make it on the show and win the whole thing!
I want to thank my coaches; Arjan Carlos Moreno, Marcus Neuenschwander, Dave Masi and Cam Buchanan. I also want to thank my beautiful wife Amanda for being by my side through this amazing journey and my son Keison for waking me up early every morning so I have no choice but to get up and get to the gym. Shout out to all my sponsors; Last Round Nutrition, Crossfit 380, Chiropractic 360, Gracie Plano, Team 515, Athletic performance Texas, Vip Mouthguards, War Tribe Gear, Good Brand, Phat Paint, David Ray Law, North American Energy Management, Cheetah Muay Thai, AMTA, Nissan Lewisville, JustBreakIt.com and TXMMA.com. And thank you Mike Calimbas for the exposure and your incredible photography!