FORT WORTH, TX, May 20, 2013 – Coming out of his two-year amateur career with an official 1-4 record according to MMA.tv, It’s safe to say most people did not expect Phalanx Powerhouse’s Derek Perkins to come away with a win when he made his pro debut this past March at XKO 18 against Octagon MMA’s Rashad Coulter. Yet for all those expectations of another failure he turned the tide and made victory a reality with a win over his highly-touted opponent.
A fresh start, an undefeated record, and a new perspective on what he can do in the fighting world. In speaking to Derek, he surely seems to be using this momentum to motivate himself heading into his second pro fight this Saturday versus Jose Serna at STFC 25.
“When I fought Rashad, he was 3-0 KO’ing guys left and right. A lot of people felt it wasn’t a good fight (for me) to have my pro debut, but when you’re climbing a mountain you can’t take baby steps all the time. You have to take chances, and in this business I understand it’s about making an impact. In my debut I did that. It was the first time I ever was suggested to be an easy finish. I think you guys might of even had him as a 99% favorite to take me out. Glad I was left with that 1% because it’s was all I needed. I believe Rashad was ranked in Texas and I just want to be his replacement. And so on and so forth as I continue to knock off the guys in my way from being number one!”
“My mindset is to seek and destroy. I’m on a mission, and until I reach it, everybody else is just in the way! Just obstacles courses to get me to where I belong. I want to be the top 85’er or 70’er in Texas, that’s a goal of mine.”
From a training perspective, Derek Perkins feels a few changes – including a recent move into a new location for his team – have all helped make this fight camp good one for him heading into STFC 25.
“It (training for this fight) has been awesome. My fight team moved into a new location, and for the first time in a long time I can train as much as I want in every aspect of MMA under one roof. Phalanx doesn’t bring guys out, guys gravitate towards Phalanx and become members, because they see the work the team is putting in, and we’re making this a year to remember. We have a lot of elites under our roof, from Hayward Charles who’s on a 6-fight win streak to James Vick who was a Ultimate fighter semi-finalist. When you train with these guys, you have to increase or quit.”
“The only weird thing about this fight is that he (Joe Serna) is a ghost, I haven’t seen anything on the guy. It’s a shot in the dark. Good thing I have excellent aim, and I will hit my target, no matter what style he brings. He could be Anderson Silva good with striking, or GSP good with wrestling and ground and pound. I’m just training for every scenario and just have to enforce my will, keep him guessing, and get into his head early.”
Fighter Acknowledgements
“I want to give thanks for the time you took out to do this interview. Know I’m looking to push 2-0 with another statement May 24th. Shout out my team Phalanx Powerhouse all the way. Coach Durwyn Lamb and Lisa Marie all put in a lot of work with me whether its advice or lessons during class. Shout out my fans who have been supporting me from day 1, and push me as well. My management Killer Instinct with Mike Taylor/Lotis Butchko, Born2Bang – my sponsors. And last but not least the people I know support me through thick and thin, Bryan Williams/Taylor France and my family thank you all. I won’t let you down!”
