By TXMMA Staff // Dez Moore
After finishing nursing school, Dickinson native Trent Parker looks to progress undefeated MMA career
HOUSTON, TX, July 11, 2014 – Mick Maynard, Collin Cantrell, and the Legacy crew are getting all set to present one of their biggest amateur cards of the year, Legacy Amateur Series 16. The card features not one, not two, not three, but FOUR title fights. Competing for the welterweight title is Furia Fight Team’s Trent Parker who will be facing the current Legacy Amateur Series light weight champion Sage Northcutt. Parker has quietly advanced himself to the title shot with a perfect record of 5-0. His last two fights have ended in the first round with the most recent fight being a TKO finish in less than two minutes. After an 11-month layoff, Parker will be fighting for his first title.
TXMMA recently spoke with Parker about his upcoming fight on Legacy Amateur Series 16.
Legacy Amateur Series 16 Interview – Trent Parker (Furia Training Center)
Trent Parker: Awesome man! Well, I started out wrestling when I was 15 and fell in love with it. After high school, I needed something to fill the void and I did not want to try to wrestle out of state so I found Furia Training Center and started training with them under Jason carter.
TXMMA: How did you get into competitive MMA?
Trent Parker: At first, I was only interested in grappling and did a couple tournaments and did well, but I kind of started to lose the rush I would get from them. So, I took it a step further and started working on my striking. I figured there is no higher form of competition than an actual fight, so I finally stepped in the cage and have not stopped since.
TXMMA: This is your first title fight, how are you preparing? Is it any different from your previous fights?
Trent Parker: I have made some big changes for this fight. I completely revamped my diet and it has made me exponentially better athletically. I started training differently as well to incorporate a more sport specific, explosive type of training. Besides that it has just been nice to train full time without having to worry about a bunch of other stuff. I feel ready to go 5 rounds if necessary.
TXMMA: Let’s talk about your opponent, Sage Northcutt. What are you expecting from him? He’s the titleholder at 155lbs and is moving up a weight class to fight you for the 170lbs title.
Trent Parker: I know he is a great martial artist. He is a great striker, very athletic, fast, and he is good on the ground too. He is really well rounded. I am not expecting anything in particular from him. I just have to minimize my mistakes and not leave any holes in my game.
TXMMA: It’s been 11 months since your last fight, is there any specific reason why?
Trent Parker: I had to put competing on hold for a bit while I finished nursing school. I had a couple of fights lined up after that, but guys pulled out or got injured so I have just been training trying to get better until something stuck.
TXMMA: Is there any fear of cage rust?
Trent Parker: Not at all. That has never been a problem for me. If anything I am anxious to get in there. I am excited to show how I have evolved as a fighter and martial artist.
TXMMA: What’s next for you after this fight?
Trent Parker: I am debating if I want to go pro or not. I still have a long way to go. I am in no rush to make any decisions. As long as I keep fighting and competing I am happy.
TXMMA: Any last words before your fight at Legacy Amateur Series?
Trent Parker: I want to thank all my coaches and training partners at Furia Training Center. My head coach and striking coach Jason Carter, my Jiu-Jitsu coach David Boyer, Jeremy Morris for helping me get my nutrition and diet right, and everyone who is coming out to support me and my teammates. Also, my girlfriend for helping me focus on training full time, and Legacy for the opportunity.