Forged in Ohio

Blake Perry INTV
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[00:00:00] Now for the show that brings combat sports stories to life from the great state of Ohio, this is forged in Ohio. Hello everyone and welcome to episode 35 of Forged in Ohio. My name is Jake Murren and I'm the host of the podcast. And today I'm being joined by a two in one professional mixed martial artist, and this isn't any pro m m a fighter that I've had on in the past.

It's pretty incredible what this man has done in three fights, including what happened in his only loss in his pro career. I can't wait to talk to him about that and so much more. Today, I'm honored to be joined by Nature boy, Blake Perry. Thanks for coming on the show, Blake, and welcome to Forged in Ohio.

Hey man, I'm stoked to be here. I appreciate you having me. Yeah, of course, man. I appreciate you joining me. The first thing that I definitely have to address for the listeners is your connection to Ohio, because I only feature fighters out of Ohio on the podcast. And if someone were to look up your topology [00:01:00] page, it says, born in the United States and fighting out of California.

Now, I've listened to your other interviews, so I'm aware of your Ohio roots, but for people listening, what is your connection to the Buckeye state? Yeah, yeah, yeah, of course. So I was born and raised in a small town, Jefferson, in Ohio. Between, between Cleveland and Youngstown? Yeah, just small town Ohio. I was, I grew up there, was born there, moved out of Ohio when I was 22 years old.

I moved, uh, to Hawaii and I was out there for three years. Got my fighting start out there and then moved to the Bay area of California, and I've been out there the past about two, two and a half years, so I've kind of bounced around. So my, my fighting career has been all in Hawaii and California, but I was born and raised in Ohio.

So you start in Ohio, go to Hawaii, and then at California where you are now. What caused you to first leave Ohio and go to Hawaii? So I'm actually in the military. I'm in the Air Force, and uh, I was stationed in Hawaii for three years [00:02:00] and I'm currently stationed at, uh, Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.

So that's just kind of the, the places I was dealt. And I was super fortunate, you know, you can't, can't complain with, you know, Hawaii and California. So I, I definitely lucked out. But yeah, I was sent there for, uh, the military. Yeah, man, that's awesome. What inspired you to get into the military and the Air Force?

Dude, to be brutally honest, I just always kind of wanted to do it and I didn't have a whole lot of plan after school, so I figured, you know, why not, man? It's, it's the perfect way to travel. It's, it's the poor man's vacation, you know. You got no choice but to travel for free and go see parts of the world that you never would've otherwise, you know?

So it definitely has been a blessing and, you know, down the road too, it's been amazing for my flight career getting able to network all across the country and even, you know, partway across the ocean in Hawaii. So, uh, it's, it's been super awesome. Now, is it easy to find like a balance between your job, what you [00:03:00] do in the Air Force and your M M A career and everything that goes into being a fighter?

Um, yeah, you know, it's challenging. However, to, to be honest, you know, it's really not much different from anyone who has a, a full-time job and fights also, you know, which is majority of professional fighters, you know, a a lot of people, you know, see social media and that type of stuff, and it creates the, the image that all they do is fight, and that's it.

However, unless you're. You know, that very top percent financially when it comes to fighting, uh, you're gonna have to have some side hustle, even if it's just coaching in your gym or something, to have other revenues of income. So, yeah, you know, it's, it's definitely work to balance it. However, I, I'm kind of fortunate to where my specific job in the military isn't crazy compared to a lot of jobs in the military.

You know, I'm, I'm not, Always deployed for six months at a time or a year at a time. Nothing, nothing crazy like that. I'm pretty fortunate to have a relatively set schedule and know ahead of time [00:04:00] when I'm gonna be on the road and when I'm not. So I'm able to, you know, balance it just like anybody else with a full-time job and, uh, make it work.

Yeah. With that set schedule, what does your day-to-day life look like with working and training and everything like that? Yeah, so, um, usually it's, it's pretty, pretty simple. You know, I just get up in the morning. Go to work, um, kind of a normal time, you know, just like everybody else. Probably anywhere between seven to eight 30, you know, kind of a normal start time.

Go there. I'll work my first half of the day. I'll get in a little workout midday, just on my own, like some strength and conditioning or some bag work or something, you know, to. On, on that level and then finish out the second half of my workday, come home, chill for a little bit, and then I go to my gym at night and uh, train, you know, we have a team training.

I'll be out there usually from about six to 9:00 PM Yeah. And then that's come home, chill for a little bit, maybe hit the hot tub [00:05:00] street and then called in night. Let's say you make it as far as you want to in mixed martial arts, then what does that really mean for your future in the Air Force? Um, so I have about a little less than a year left, and I, I do plan on getting out.

So it, it's been amazing so far. And honestly, it, it's funny because it's a full-time job, however, it's actually propelled my fighting career exponentially because had I not been in the military, I never would've just lived in Hawaii for three years and trained, and I never would've moved out to California for the past few years and trained, I would've been kind of, kind of limited, you know, in terms of my exposure to the sport.

So in, in the grand scheme of things, it's, it's actually contributed greatly to my, to my fighting career. And I'm lucky too because they've also had my back throughout it all too. You know, it, it's not a question I get a lot is they're like, man, I can't believe they'll let you do that. You know? Is it, do you have to.[00:06:00]

Is it kind of a struggle for them to let you do that and all of that, but it's actually the opposite. I've gotten tremendous support from the military and, you know, they're always stoked and watching my fights and promoting it and, you know, sometimes even showing up at they're local. So, no, it's, it's been kind of a wild ride, but it's been, it's been a awesome, but yeah, I got about a year left and then, uh, I plan on moving on, go going elsewhere, but I got about a year left in the military.

Is that something that, I don't know, maybe adds a little bit pressure on you to, for your fight career at least? Hey, let's do a couple fights in this given year. Set myself up well after you leave the military. Yeah. You know, um, kind of, I, I guess I kind of don't look at it too much as pressure, you know, it's just, Just kind of keep doing what I'm doing.

I set myself up, get my name out there, just keep, you know, getting in bangers and trying to promote myself that way, and not focusing too much on the future as opposed to one fight at a time. That's, [00:07:00] and the results will come, you know, just love what you do. Focus on the now, do your fucking best. And you know, good, good things will come from that.

But yeah, in terms of after this year, I, I would say, Maybe, you know, it's definitely, I'll look at it as motivation as opposed to pressure, you know, it's, uh, definitely some motivation to make my dream come true of making, fighting my soul income. You know, that's, that's what all of us want to do, you know what I mean?

That that's not just me. Anyone that fights professionally, or I'm sure you know, majority of amateurs in their, their end goal is to, to do it. Full-time as a job, you know, cuz no matter whether you're getting paid or not every, all of us are just doing it cuz we love it. But the end goal is to make that work.

You know what I mean? Yeah. Fair enough, man. And you have done such a good job at promoting yourself and putting on bangers, Justin, your three professional flights, and I want to talk about that here shortly. Back to Ohio here for just a moment. I know there's only so much [00:08:00] about Ohio to enjoy, but there are some people like myself who have a lot of pride for the state.

This is forged Ohio. What's your favorite aspect of the state of Ohio? Oh, that's a really good question, man. Yeah, I know. I feel like we gotta, we gotta put on a good name all the. The Ohio Meanses and stuff that have been going on in the past year. I know the worst. The worst one is a slogan like Stuck in Ohio, or Can't Wait to Leave Ohio.

That's, that really annoys me, but hey man, I mean, I can't blame you. You're in Hawaii, then you're in California. I'm sure those places are beautiful, but do you have one thing about Ohio that you miss? I'm sure you don't miss the snow, but anything about Ohio that you do miss? Yeah, no, I'm gonna be honest.

Fuck the snow. But outside of that, there's, there's definitely, there's, there's a lot of things I miss, man. But I would say the one thing about Ohio that I would say is different from other places I've been, it is just such a, like blue collar state, you know what I mean? Like, I feel like just the average person.

Works their ass off, doesn't [00:09:00] cause problems, just kind of keeps their head down, whatever their job is. You know, whether it's a nine to five work in a factory, it's just everyone, just kinda, you know, I feel like the, the work ethic is ingrained in me because of where I grew up. You know, I didn't, I didn't grow up in, you know, like a super fancy area or anything like that.

It was great. Don't get me wrong, I, I love, I love where I grew up. But I think that kind of instilled the, the work ethic I have just cause, you know, watching my parents and everyone just work their ass off for anything they got and, you know, everyone else's parents, you know, just the whole, the whole area where I grew up in and majority of Ohio, I would say is just very down to earth, blue collar.

You get what you work for kind of thing, you know? And I think that shows a lot in not only the people, but you know, a, a lot of the people that come out of Ohio, I think a lot of good things come from, like, a lot of athletes from Ohio and just people, you know, just wor work their ass off, you know? So I think [00:10:00] that's something that's, that's different from a lot of areas and I've kind of noticed that.

And, uh, just get, getting out and seeing a lot of parts of the country. It's kind of a unique, unique thing. And a lot of. A lot of places. Yeah, man, I love that answer. And I even checked all your fights and I don't think you've actually fought in Ohio. Is that something that by the end of your career you wanna do is to fight in Ohio?

I would love nothing more. I would love to fight in Cleveland, that's for sure. A goal of mine. If I could get on, you know, uh, that'd be awesome, man. If a promotion would have me in Cleveland, anywhere, Cleveland, Youngstown, wherever, but Cleveland specifically would be awesome, just cuz that's the biggest city.

You know, in driving range where I grew up near, so that's absolutely a goal of mine. It just hasn't, hasn't quite happened yet. You know, with the opportunities that I've gotten and where I've been and it just hasn't, hasn't lined up yet. However, I. I feel like I gotta fight in Ohio before I'm done. It almost wouldn't be right, you know?

Right. Let's be honest. I mean, you've fought on some pretty huge stages [00:11:00] so far, just in three fights. I mean, fighting in Cleveland, Ohio must be special for you. But also you've already competed so much higher at these other places at a Bellator pay-per-view of four cage warriors and things like that. So we, we understand it, but of course that that fight in Cleveland, Ohio would be insane.

And how many tickets you would sell, and again, those blue collar people coming out and watching you fight, I'm sure the crowd would be amazing. Yeah, that, that would be something special for sure. Dude. Just everyone, you know, everyone I grew up with and it, it would be awesome because a lot of people that got me to where I am have never seen me fight in person, just cause I've always fought so far away from Ohio, you know, and I, I would love to share that with them.

You know, all the people that I have supported me since I was a little kid, I would love to, to fight in front of them too. That would definitely be special for me. Yeah, for sure man. So I know you started wrestling in Ohio and then competing in M M A in Hawaii. Was getting into mixed martial arts something that you always wanted to do?

Oh, for sure, man. Um, that was definitely, honestly always kind of an end goal. I [00:12:00] always wanted to. To fight someday. Um, so I grew up watching fights just as a little kid. You know, I used to fanboy out over all the old school dudes, Chuck Liddell, mayhem, Miller, the Diaz Bros, all those guys. You know, when I was a little kid, I used to just watch them like crazy and think like, man, that'd be so crazy if I could do that someday.

You know? So that was always kind of an end goal. And I love wrestling with all my heart. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely I wouldn't be fighting if it wasn't for wrestling. That's, uh, that's a hundred percent. If I didn't wrestle in Ohio. I definitely would've taken a different life path. You know, I probably just wouldn't have had the interest in fighting that I have if I didn't, you know, wrestle, wrestle for so long and that, that absolutely helped me transition to fighting kind of seamlessly.

You know, not even so much cuz I had some special, crazy skills in wrestling. Cuz to be totally honest with you, I, I was never anything special in wrestling. However, just the, the grit and the work ethic that wrestling kind of gives you at a [00:13:00] baseline. That made me, uh, definitely transition into fighting and just embrace the grind and fucking love it, you know?

Yeah. I mean, you mentioned a handful of fighters there. Was there one fighter in particular growing up that you watched that inspired you to get into wrestling and then kind of sparked that interest in MMA as well? So, to get into wrestling, I think that was more, that was more of my buddies. Cause I had, uh, buddies growing up that.

That wrestled, you know, and I always, one particular that comes to mind, uh, my buddy, uh, Rocky Tripodi was his name. He always, he wrestled in, uh, junior high at Jefferson. And I, I remember just being friends with him and I didn't wrestle at the time and he was one of the guys that, um, I looked up to, you know, and uh, kind of just got into it honestly, cuz you know, it was interesting.

But, you know, at that age it's just as much about friends, you know, you kinda wanna do what your friends are doing. I think getting into wrestling per se was probably [00:14:00] more the people I knew on a personal level and then the fighters I looked up to definitely when I was a kid. You know, I, I always had a soft spot for long, lanky guys, you know, just kids, you know, emulate who they want to be, you know, so people that look like them, you know, they, they kind of like, so I kind of always had a, had a special interest in the long lanky fighters, cuz you know, the.

I always kind of looked at them as like, oh man, if they can do it, I can too. You know, you don't have to be a little short muscle shark to be a good wrestler or be a good fighter. You can kind of be anybody type, you know? So I, I love like the, like I said earlier, the Diaz brothers, the Mayhem Miller was a guy I always liked watching fight when I was younger.

Kendall Grove was another fighter I used to watch a lot. So yeah, just kind of all those old school dudes, Chris Leman, all them. Yeah. Yeah, man. I love it. I also wanted to ask about the nickname Nature Boy. Obviously it's most well known for Rick Flair, but how'd you end up with the nickname? First off, Rick Flair is the man, so I, yeah, but like every single [00:15:00] time in preparation for this interview when I've like read your name along with your nickname, I just wanna say it like the Nature Boy Blake Perry because of Rick Flair.

Woo. Exactly man. No, so it's kind of funny, my coach, Sonny Ramos, uh, gave it to me. Because, uh, sometimes like little animals will get in the gym, like little bats and mice and just like random little critters. And, uh, they leave it to me to get 'em out. And one time there was a bat that flew in, uh, landed on the mat and I just snatched it up with my hand real quick and then ran it to the door and tossed it outside.

And, uh, They all kind of made fun of me for that. They're like, what the hell dude? And uh, he's like, we gotta start calling you nature boy, man. So anytime like animals or whatever get in, they're like, yo, leave it to nature, boy, he'll get it. So, uh, he kind of gave me that and just kind of stuck, you know? I liked it cuz one, it's kind of funny, and two, you know, why not pay homage to the man [00:16:00] himself?

Rick Flair, you know. Yeah, and you have that incredible story to go along with it. Like, I'm not ashamed if a bat comes in a gym, I am running the other way. Why are you somebody that goes to the bat and tries and traps it to get it out of there? I, I don't know, man. Probably just a mixture of just being a weird kid and then getting hit in the head a lot as an adult.

I know probably, probably a combination, to be honest. When was the last time that you had to pull off a nature Voice stun, if you will. I think it was the bat actually, if I'm not mistaken. Um, I'm pretty sure it was the bat. That was probably about a year ago, a year and a half ago. Wow. Um, yeah, it was right at some point over the summer cuz the weather was nice and they were flying around at night, so probably about a year ago, last summer.

Well, once again, this is Nature boy Blake Perry with us on Forage in Ohio. It's pretty wild that you're only 28 years old and have all this experience in the sport. I wanna get into your professional fights and the stages you've competed on here shortly. But when you think back to your amateur career that [00:17:00] started back in 2018, what do you think about?

So back in 2018, I started, yeah, my first. Probably like seven or eight fights. Were all in Hawaii. I was fighting out of United m m a with the The Lee family. Yeah, man. I just started training there and started to take it real serious, you know, and then at some point after my first year of training, ended up taking a, taking a fight.

And when I think of the start of my career, I think of. Just like naturally super tough fighters. I think because man, there's something, you know, I, I'll stand by the fact that I think the amateur circuit is the toughest in Hawaii. I think there's, there's something special about those dudes out there, man.

Like the, the guys born in bred in Hawaii or something else, dude, like. I swear, dude, like people that don't even train hit like a rock. You know, it's just like all, all those guys are naturally super good fighters just cuz they all train all the time. But then [00:18:00] also at a super young age, you know, a lot, a lot of guys have a background in something, you know, they're amateur fighters but they've got a crazy kickboxing background or a crazy background in boxing or all, all kinds of stuff.

So I definitely think of. Having a tough start right from the beginning. You know, I definitely, I definitely had no gimme fights. You know, I, I def definitely caught some ass whoopings there in the beginning, but I think it just helped me, helped me a lot. Um, in terms of kind of, you know, I think, I think that's kind of good for a guy starting out, you know, to, to win some, but then in, you know, to lose some too.

Cause you don't get that, that sense of. Not knowing what a tough fight is. You know, it wasn't like I just ran through competition. I think, if I'm not mistaken, I think my, I might have started like one and two or two and three. I, I definitely started my amateur career was a losing record. I know. So yeah, I think that just made me better at the end of the day, just train harder and, you know, know what to expect.

Um, in terms of [00:19:00] the talent level that I was gonna see and. You know, by the time you're a professional, it kind of kinda levels out. There's no matter where you're at, there's super good fighters, you know? But in the amateur circuit, I think it's something special in Hawaii. That's my personal opinion. Right.

So you started your amateur career one and two on that losing record, then two and two, and then you rattle off wins. You finish seven and three as an amateur with two of those wins actually in kickboxing. And you mentioned those guys in Hawaii are so tough, so even impressive record that way. Do you have like a favorite moment or fight from your days competing as an amateur?

I would say, that's a good question. My favorite fight just from start to finish. I would say my second kickboxing fight in, uh, lake Tahoe, Nevada. Just cuz it, it was just kind of crazy man. From start to finish, it was like three, two minute rounds. Right. So you could just stomp on the gas the whole time, you know, cuz two, two minute rounds or, or short, [00:20:00] you know, And so me and the dude I fought, his name was Damien Blaske, who just kind of just beat the shit out of each other for three rounds, like a hundred miles an hour.

You know, that was, I would say, probably just the craziest fight. Absolutely not my most technical fight, but it is what it is, you know? Um, yeah. So I, out of my amateur career, I would say my favorite fight just to watch from start to finish was definitely that one. Yeah, man, that's crazy that you say that fight is your favorite When you won via decision, and like you said, you guys were both pretty battered after the fight.

When you have other fights where you get a KO in 28 seconds in the second round, guillotine in the first round, rear naked choke in the first round, like do you just live for those brawls in those just dog fights in the cage? There's something special about it, man, I don't know what it is. I really don't cuz it's like, You know, like, which one did I feel physically better walking away?

Of course, like a first round finish or a submission, you know, first or second round all day. And don't get me wrong, I, I would, I [00:21:00] would take that all day. However, I. There's just something about like leaving a ring where you're both just spent and you just beat the shit out of each other and one of those fights where you're waiting for a decision and like deep in your heart, you're just like, I don't even, honestly, I don't even care.

Like we just, the whole crowd's on their feet and everyone's going crazy. Like, obviously I wanna win, but at the end of the day, we just put on a crazy show and. Win, lose or draw. I, I live for those fights, man. There's, there's something special. Like it's a unique feeling, you know, where you're just like proud to be a part of it.

And just for, just from the whole standpoint, you know, even the dude, you know, the, the guy you just fought, you just got. Crazy respect for him. And no matter whose hand gets raised, you're like, fuck, that was dope. You know? Yeah, man, that's awesome. And like even checking out your social media prior to this interview, like I saw almost every single pick you were bloodied up for one reason or another.

I feel like that [00:22:00] just says a lot about your fighting style and really why you go out there and do what you do. And you mentioned branding yourself and trying to do this for a living. I feel like that's the mentality that guys like you have to have, I guess like. Is that, is that the kind of the case with you and, and what you've done so far?

Yeah, no, I, I think, I think that's, that's kind of spot on, you know, because I, I mean, I, I think I'm a really good fighter, don't get me wrong, and, you know, I'm technical and everything. However, I also know. That my best quality isn't that I'm the strongest or the fastest or the the most talented, to be honest or technical, anything like that.

I think what sets me apart from other people is just kind of just being gritty, you know? Cuz I, I've beaten a lot of dudes that on paper are a lot better than me. You know, ju just because of that reason, and I think that's kind of why. People get behind me. And I'm unfortunate to have the support that I do, but I think people just like that.

You know, I think people kinda gravitate to that. And a lot of [00:23:00] people see themselves in that, you know, and they're like, oh, you know, that dude's just kind of a normal dude and he just went out there and kind of did the damn thing, you know, just went out there and threw down and wasn't overly concerned with the result.

But the results come when you go out there and fight like that, you know? Um, and I think that that kind of fighter kind of resonates with people too. As much as people love the. Insanely talented freaks and technicians. You know, people love the, the dogs too. Yeah, man. Absolutely. And like you mentioned, guys who are probably better or might be better than you or are thought to be better than you heading into a fight.

I think being a plus six 50 underdog heading into a fight qualifies under that, and that's how you debuted professionally. Just over a year ago at Bellator 2 78, you fought Mcco Cooper, who is Ray Cooper's brother. You were a plus six 50 dog heading into the. Fight and you were competing on that huge stage.

It was a Bellator pay-per-view. What were the emotions and nerves like heading into that fight? Man, [00:24:00] it's, it's kind of a weird, a weird thing cuz like, when there's like that much like doubt against you, you know what I mean? It's kind of just like, in a weird way it's makes you less nervous cuz I mean, what's the worst thing that's gonna happen?

What everybody already thinks is gonna happen, you know what I mean? Like, so it's, it's kind of one of those things where I just. Treated it like any other fight, you know, I'd, I'd fought plenty of times before that and obviously, you know, nothing on that level of stage or any, anything close to that.

However, just kind of, you know, treat it just like any other fight. I'm, I know what I'm capable of, you know, if people in Vegas disagree with that or the odds makers, that's, that's fine. You know, it's, at the end of the day, I'm just gonna make my homies more money back home. So I'm, I'm cool with that, you know.

Yeah, man. So that plus six 50 price more of a motivator than anything else, I would say. Yes. That fight ended with a wicked Anaconda choke in the second round, and it took a while for Cooper to tap. You guys kind of sprawled around the cage a little bit [00:25:00] there. How confident were you that what you had locked in was going to be enough to finish that fight?

Man, at that point, you know, I was just, I, I felt it kind of lock in and. I was just wasn't letting go. You know, like, like you said, we rolled a few times at different angles and I just felt like I, I had it good enough that I adjusted it, you know? I thought I could probably get the finish and, you know, I, I was, I was able to pull it out, but yeah, I just kind of just hung onto that bitch like crazy.

You know what I mean? Like, just at that point, cuz that's one of those chokes too, you know, where say I didn't quite get it. You, you're not in a great position, you know? Cuz if I didn't get it and he was able to fight out of it, I'm still on my back. So definitely it's one of those ones that if you go for it, you got, you gotta go for it, go for it.

You know what I mean? Um, and luckily it worked out in my favor. Yeah. I asked about the emotions heading into the debut. What about the emotions after the win? I'm sure a lot was going through your head after the impressive [00:26:00] performance and going one and oh. Yeah, I would say definitely the emotions were stronger after cause going in, you know, I had nerves and kind of just like the other going in, had a game plan, just kind of stuck, stuck to it, you know?

But afterwards it was, it was really cool too because that, that was the first time that my dad had seen me fight. My brother had seen me fight and uh, so that was a pretty cool moment cuz they all, they all came out all the way out to Hawaii. They flew out. My dad and his soon to be wife and my mom and brother and their family and the whole, the whole, uh, crew was out.

So it was pretty, it was pretty cool. I think that that really added to it. Leaving the cage and seeing all those guys was definitely something that I will remember forever. It was pretty awesome. Has that been the only time in your career that you've had that much support with that many family members coming out and watching you fight?

Uh, I think probably that. It's been close. Between that and my other pro fights, my mom [00:27:00] has been there for a lot of my fights. Amateur, amateur and pro. She's been there for quite a few of them. My dad has been to my three pro fights and my brother has seen me, saw me fight that Bellator fight in Hawaii. So I would say the only time that all of them were there together was, was that fight, which is, which is cool, you know, considering how, how far it is, you know, that everyone was able to make it out.

It was pretty awesome. Now your mom has competed in combat sports too, right? She has, dude, she had a boxing, she had a boxing fight. Yeah. So I think you, you were in a attendance for that fight, right? Yeah. I was, I absolutely was. I mean, how nervous are you watching your mom in their computer? Did you kind of know that, Hey, you know, she's a badass.

She got this. I was fucking stoked for real. She, I'm sure she was. I know she was nervous, but I was all amped up. Um, I was there with all my high school buddies. We were watching her fight. Nah, I was so pumped. Just cuz that's, I mean, how many people can say that? You know, like, yeah, I'm going my mom's fight.

Right? You know what I mean? Like, as I'm a grown [00:28:00] 28 year old man watching my mother fight as something that not many people can say. So obviously it was fucking awesome. She went out and got the win. But, uh, Regardless of result, that would've been pretty awesome either way. But you know, she went out there and put them paws on her, you know what I'm saying?

So it was, it was, it was pretty cool, man. Is she keeping it going or was it just one and done? Um, yeah, I'm, I'm not sure I'm, she's definitely, I know she trains still and she actually coaches classes out in Cleveland. Um, so she works at a gym out there. I'm not sure if she'll compete again. Uh, she might in the future, but she's definitely been, been training hard and.

Keeping up with it as always. Yeah, man. That's awesome. Hey, fighting. I, it runs through guys' blood, huh? How about that? Yeah, yeah. I, I'll take that. Yep. All right. Now for your second pro fight against Marcel McCain at Uriah Faber's, a one Combat four, another big stage to compete on the fight was. Stop to due to one of the worst nose breaks in m m a history that you suffered in the first round.

I know you've been asked [00:29:00] about this fight a million times, and I don't wanna force you to necessarily like relive a moment like that. In retrospect though, what do you think about when you think back to that fight and that moment that went viral? Um, yeah, no, I, I honestly have no problem talking about it.

Shit, I'll, I'll milk the shit out of it if it gets eyes on me. You know what I mean? That's, I think all, all fighters are at least a little bit of attention whores, you know? Or else why, why would we do it? You know? So, uh, nah man. I'll take it whether, you know, whatever you wanna call it, even if it's not the best reason to, you know, have people watch your fights or whatever.

If it's a foot in the door and it gets people invested in my career, I will ride that till the wheels fall off. You know what I'm saying? So, uh, Yeah, that was, it was crazy. Uh, yeah, end of the first round. Got caught with a pretty wicked knee. I, uh, broke my posture. Sh should have kept my posture higher and definitely, definitely paid for it.

But yeah, it got me with a pretty good knee. And then we fought the rest of the round, probably another [00:30:00] minute or two. And then between rounds was ready for the second round. And the first, the first doctor gave me the go ahead and said, all right, you're good to go. You know? So we were up ready for the second round.

And then unfortunately, a doctor from the outside was like, hold on, hold on, man. Like, I'm, I'm going in for a look. And then basically as soon as he looked at it and he was like, nah, man. And, and called it, it's insane to me that you wanted to continue in that fight with how bad of a nose break it was. And it shows how much of a competitor you are.

If the fight had continued. Would you have liked your chances to win the fight with how the condition of your nose was? So, I mean, maybe, obviously I'm biased cuz it's me, you know? Sure. But, uh, Dude, I, I like my chances, man, because you know how the fight was going. It was a competitive fight, don't get me wrong, but I definitely felt like I absolutely won't.

And, uh, I mean more backstory too, man. The dude I was fighting had a punctured lung. His [00:31:00] ribs broke and punctured his lung. Like before my nose even broke. So between rounds, he was hurting just as much, if not more, you know what I mean? Like, he couldn't see it. It wasn't as visible as my nose, obviously, but I could just tell from, from body language.

He, he was in a rough spot, you know? And who wouldn't be, you know what I mean? But just kind of looking over at the cage, you know, I, I, I had confidence, you know, um, that I would've went out there and finished it. And as I'm sure you know, like I said, obviously I'm biased. I'm sure Marcel would say the same thing if you interviewed him, I'm sure he'd say.

Oh, you know, if we went back out there, he would've finished it, you know, which we're both competitors and, and that makes sense. But, uh, no, man, I definitely like my chances if we went back out there. I, I genuinely felt like I would've won, but it is what it is, you know, since you guys were both dealing with those injuries, was there any talk of running the fight back between you and Marcel?

Um, I, I would love to. I know, but, uh, yeah. Maybe in the future. You never know. I, I know he's got a lot going on. He actually just. Just had [00:32:00] a kid, him and his girl had, uh, had a kid I think probably like a month ago or so, so shout, shout out to them. So I don't know. He's got a lot going on, but, uh, yeah, in, in the future maybe, man, it was a good fight.

I think it would be awesome. Run back. I know in the moment of the fight when that knee connected, you might not have realized how bad it was, or maybe you did, but I'm sure adrenaline running there in the first round. When did you actually realize, okay, yeah, this isn't the greatest situation I have on my hands.

So, yeah, like, to be honest, man, like it, it kind of sounds like some, some bullshit, but with all that adrenaline, I swear to God I really didn't feel it that much. Like it felt like I got hit in the face, you know what I mean? But nothing like crazy. I thought I just got knee in the face and I was like, all right, it is what it is.

You know what I mean? But, uh, no, I think the first thing that kind of gave me a pretty good, a pretty good idea was when I went back between rounds and. My coach is super, you know, calm, cool and collected. He's talking to me, he's like, Hey, you know, it's fine. You're gonna go out there, [00:33:00] get this, you know, go out there, do your thing.

And he was just like, let's, uh, let's get to finish this round because there's a chance a doctor, you know, your, your nose is broken. He might stop it, but he's like, it's fine. It's all good. Just go out there and let's get this finished, like quick. You know, he is like, you don't wanna leave it in a doctor's hands for him to stop it.

So at that point I knew it was. I must have been pretty visibly broken if he was saying that. And then, and then obviously after seeing it, I was like, oh shit. Little kids and stuff are like pointing at me as I'm leaving the cage. Like, oh my God. Like people are like covering their mouth and shit. I was like, oh fuck, this supposed be worse than I thought.

And then, uh, yeah, so I think that was probably the moment when I knew, uh, He, he got me with a good one. Yeah. I was gonna ask you about the moment that you first saw what it looked like when he got to the back. I don't know, like look at the mirror or something. Was there this Oh shit moment that you felt when you saw how bad it was, bro.

So, to be honest, I didn't [00:34:00] see it because I went from directly from the cage and walked out. Right. And from there they made me get in an ambulance and go to the hospital. And kind of a funny story too, they made me and Marcel, the dude I fought, sit in the back. It was just me and him in the back up. Like we literally went from the cage, walked directly to an ambulance together and went to the hospital and sat in a waiting room for like three hours.

Just like, like 10 minutes prior we were like trying to kill each other. And then next thing you know, we're just sitting in the back of an ambulance, like, so what's up man? Like, how's it going? He's all hunched over like, ah. And I'm like trying to keep my head up so my nose doesn't fall off, you know? So it was like definitely pretty funny too, cuz we walk in and we're sitting in the waiting room and people, people are looking at us like we're crazy.

You know? Cause we're still in our fight stuff like, I don't even remember if I had a shirt on. I think I had a shirt on, but it was like they like took us directly from there to the hospital, right? [00:35:00] So we're both just like covered in blood and like in fight shorts and our hands are taped and everything and we're just like sitting in the waiting room and people are like pulling their kids closer to them and scooting away.

They're like, what happened? I'm like, that guy right over there. Actually, he's him. He happened, you know? But yeah, kind of a phony story. Definitely a day I'll remember. Like the, the after the aftermath too is, it's one of those things you can't help but laugh. Like during, like, just going from a guy that, like I said, literally 10 minutes ago we were in front of a giant building, beating the shit out of each other, and then we're just sitting alone in the back of an ambulance for 15 minutes.

But yeah, no, it was, it was definitely re memorable. How long did it take you to become like how you are now that you can joke about it and reminisce and tell all these stories? Was it like that night you're like, Hey Marcel, you hit me with a good knee, didn't you? Or what? Did it kind of take some time for you to feel that way about what happened?

Oh no. It was like in the ambulance half of the fight. It was, [00:36:00] I mean, it is what it is. You know. I can either be a little bitch about it and or I can, you know, like I said, just take the good, you know, cuz either way. It was a shitty result to a fight. You know, I can either embrace all the stuff that comes my way and use it to my benefit and, you know, laugh at it and laugh at the memes and all, you know what I mean?

Cause they are funny, you know, I don't know. I'm, I'm always joking anyway, so why, why joke about everything and then when it's at my expense, I, I get all mad. You know what I mean? I'm, I'm not that type of person. So it was pretty much like in the ambulance cracking jokes and shit. Cause you know, what else you gonna do?

So what was your reaction when you first saw how viral the moment had gotten on social media and then you actually see the pictures of what it looked like, bro, so it was super crazy because I was in the hospital right after and I wasn't really on my phone because I was like, with. My mom and stuff. And you know, I was, I was with everybody and I didn't really think anything of it.

I honestly [00:37:00] didn't know it was that big of a deal. I just thought, you know, I broke my note and nose breaks happen all the time, you know? So I was like, all right, whatever. I still hadn't seen it at this point. Right. And then I just started getting texts from like my buddies, like back home and stuff that didn't watch the fight.

They're like, bro, did you just fight? And I was like, yeah. And they're like, dude, go online. Like, Just like go online and type in like your name, nose break or something. And I like went online and just seen it like everywhere, dude. And I was like, what the hell man? Like, like TMZ and stuff. I was like, really?

Like, it was just kind of funny, like, you know, just scrolling through and they're talking about, you know, like Kim K's new implants and then my busted face, they got nothing better to talk about, like, And then, yeah. You know, then I went on Instagram or whatever and seen, seen the posts and all that good stuff.

And then, yeah, so I was probably like, by that evening I realized like, oh dang, like kind of went [00:38:00] everywhere, you know? I was, I was not expecting that. What did the recovery look like for you after an injury like that? So not as bad as you'd think, man, because all they did was they reset it like just manually with their hands.

Right. They just reset it in the hospital. Yeah, right. I can send you video of that later if you want. I've seen it on YouTube. The doctor resetting it. Yeah. Oh goodness. Um, but yeah, dude, I, they just literally reset it right then and there and then stitch me up or whatever cuz it split the skin obviously.

And yeah, I just didn't get hit in it for probably six to eight weeks before I, so I kept training, but obviously just no impact, you know? So I just kind of did lots of bag work and shadow boxing, all that type of stuff. But any type of sparring or even like grappling, just anything where there's potential that it would get like bumps or hit.

I just avoided for like six to eight weeks and then after that I kind of just hopped back into it and yeah, it was fine. You know, it's, I. [00:39:00] Sparred pretty hard on it quite a few times, and it was good. And then fast forward three or four months, I took a fight and it went the full distance and I got hit on it plenty, you know, and it, it held up just fine.

So did the trick, at least, you know. Yeah. Was it like a nerve-wracking thing for you to go into that first baring session after it was healed to take a shot to the nose like that? Oh, a hundred percent. I can't even lie. I was definitely like, Uh, it was, it was in the back of my head, you know, the first, the first time I was like, just, just, just worried, you know?

Like, oh man, the first time I got cracked on it, is it gonna just do the same thing? You know what I mean? And then going into the, the actual fight, it, it was a, it was, it was a little back thought, I'm not gonna lie. It was definitely. I thought about it a little bit going into my Cage Warriors fight, just cuz sparring is one thing, you know, but no one's going crazy and sparring, you know what I mean?

No one's throwing to try and knock you out and sparring, you know what I mean? So [00:40:00] I, it was definitely a thought in my head. I was like, man, you know, I hope this holds up cuz I really, it, it's cool once, but I'm not trying to be the, the nose break guy on the internet. You know what I mean? Like that. Like that's, they're like, oh, that's dude, dude.

Know, fucking his nose always looks ridiculous. So it was definitely going into the, the Cage Warriors fight. It was a little, little bit of a thought. And then obviously once the fight started, you know, you don't even think about it. But uh, leading up to it, it was a little bit of a thought for sure.

Talking to Nature Boy, Blake Perry on Forge, Ohio. Yeah. Let's get into that. Cage Warriors fight. You're, you won that last fight on March 3rd at Cage Warriors 1 49 in San Diego, yet another big stage for you that's a common trend in your professional career. Was there any like added pressure on you to perform well in that fight and to remind people how dangerous you are with what happened in that second fight against Marcel?

I think it was, there was a little bit, but it was definitely [00:41:00] self-inflicted. Like I don't, I don't think people were, you know, like doubting me anymore or anything like that, you know? But definitely in my own head, um, it was definitely, I wanted to go out there and get a win, kind of just to, you know, get that monkey off my back a little bit, you know, so I'm not, Only known for my fucking nose breaking, you know, it, it would be nice I thought, you know, I'll go out there and get that win.

That'll kind of be the freshest thing in, uh, In people's minds. And then that turned out to be total bullshit. Cause I went out there and got the win and I feel like no one even knows I fought. All I see is I just get tagged in nose videos. I'm like, goddammit, bro. But uh, no, like I said, I gotta, I gotta embrace it because I don't think that's going anywhere anytime soon.

So I'll take it, man. It is what it is. I'll just go out there, keep getting wins and. Hey, not everyone can say that the fight they're most known for is when they lost. So I'll, I'll take that too, you know? So, um, yeah. Is, is [00:42:00] there anything to be said too, like you lose a fight, but you actually didn't really lose the fight.

It was an injury that, sure, your opponent delivered to you with that knee, but it's not like you were tapped out, knocked out, anything like that. Right. Yeah. Nah, it's honestly, you know, it's it. It is what it is. It sucks to take a loss on the record, but at the end of the day, you know, in terms of furthering my career, as much as I hate to admit it, that fight propelled my career more than any other one, honestly, you know, so, At the end of the day, you gotta look at, look at the end result of stuff.

And obviously it wasn't ideal, however, I'll take it, man. It it is what it is. You know, if it's, I could either be the guy that broke his nose and a lot of good stuff came from it, or I broke my nose and lost and no one knew about it. You know what I mean? So I'll, I'll take the first option all day. Yeah.

It's funny that you say too, that people didn't even really know that you fought in March at Cage Warriors. I think one, aside from your [00:43:00] performance, one viral moment from that fight at Cage Warriors was your walkout. You had that incredible walkout. You come out to Nelly and you were amped up, man. Like how much does a walkout like that get you ready for a fight?

Oh dude, so much man. I live for that bro. It's, it's funny cuz like, I feel like that's, That's your time. You know what I mean? Because when you're out there fighting, obviously that's, that's what we do it for, you know? But you know, that's, that's you and your opponent's time. It's, it's whoever, whoever wants it more is gonna get that shine, you know?

But something special about a walkout man, no one can take that from you. You put in all that work. I got the coolest fucking job in the world. Why would I wait till after the fight to celebrate? You know what I mean? I'm celebrating before, during, and after. I, I love this shit so much. So, uh, I love walkouts, man.

I like to have fun. Like you said, get amped up. Listen to some old school, early two thousands rap. Preferably I'm a walkout. Kind of have fun, get the crowd going, you know, I, I, I live for that shit, bro. So, uh, definitely, [00:44:00] I definitely adds to it, you know, get to y'all hyped up, ready to fight, and, uh, you know, why not?

I like having fun, man. I like having fun in there when I'm training, no matter what I'm doing. You know, I, I realize how fortunate I am to do what I do every single day. Why wouldn't I have fun? You know? And if people, you know, people say like, oh, you know, don't, don't showboat, or don't do this or that on your walkout, fuck 'em.

You know what I mean? I'm, I'm the one doing what I love. You don't tell me not to be happy on my walkout. I'm gonna, I'm gonna live it up, man. So I'm just happy to be there, you know? Do you think you'd come out to Nelly again in the future, or do you have something else cooked up for future walkouts? Ooh, I got, I got a couple in mind.

You know, I very well could, he's, he's got some good ones, but I like to switch it up. I pro I probably won't come out to the same song, but same era. I can, I can promise probably gonna happen probably that early two thousands, early two thousands rap, you know, I might, might throw in some, some little john yin yang twins or some [00:45:00] something old school like that.

We'll see. But, uh, Yeah, some. Something. Good. All right, man, I, I appreciate it. I want to throw something your way here. I know it's like steep ish's thing, and I think you're kind of know where I'm going with this. MGK Cleveland till I die. I don't know how you feel about the song, but maybe one time, especially if you get a fight in Ohio, what do you think about that?

I'm not opposed at all. MGK gets a lot of hate, but I, I love his older stuff, man. Right. I still listen to it, you know, he gets a lot of hate, I think, cuz of his, his newer stuff, his newer like punk rock stuff, which I'll admit, it's a little suspect, I'm not gonna lie. However, his older stuff, I still listen to that all the time.

So I would have no issue walking out until I die if I got the fight in Cleveland. I, I would be down with some M G K on my walkout. That would be cool. Hell yeah, man. That would be awesome. So you won that fight at Cage Warriors 1 49 via unanimous decision. How'd you feel after that performance at Cage Warriors?

Um, I, I felt good. You know, I, I was happy to get the win. However, watching back there was [00:46:00] a lot of stuff I definitely needed to clean up. But I'm just better than, you know, looking back, there's definitely some things I was doing. That I wasn't particularly happy with. So as far as the performance, I would give it ki very, very middle of the road.

You know, I wasn't like, Super disappointed with her. Anything. Like I said, I, I had a super tough opponent in front of me, Josh. Josh is a beast, you know, so if I was able to pull out a win against him, I must have had at least a solid day, you know? But absolutely not my best. Um, very, very middle of the road.

Cuz like I said, there was a lot of things that I look back on. I'm like, man, I, I was doing that. Not great. You know? So, uh, as far as. Grading my performance, I'll probably give it like a C, you know, definitely wasn't like I went out there and did horrible, however, not my best for sure. I understand if you don't wanna go too in depth with it, but what were those things that you felt like you could have done better?

Uh, sure. Yeah, no, I mean, I'll, I'll be, I'll be open man. Things as far from a technical [00:47:00] standpoint, you know, um, was kinda breaking my posture. Some, ducking my head down, uh, lunging in on some of my shots, you know, just, just stuff I know better than. And in my past fights I've done way better with, you know what I mean?

So, uh, j just little honestly kind of, kind of fundamental stuff, you know, like I said, it's nothing that I didn't know how to do. Or anyone, anyone that's been training, fighting knows how to do it, you know what I mean? Um, it's not complex stuff, but just, you know, things I gotta keep myself honest and, uh, I've been working hard to correct and get after it that next fight, you know?

Yeah, so that fight was just over three months ago. When looking through your career, I can kind of tell that you like being active. When do you think you're gonna compete next? Oh, I'm hoping for September, man, nothing. Uh, August, September timeframe. Right now I'm talking to two or three different promotions.

Um, nothing, nothing signed yet, but definitely one, one of them. I absolutely, I, I plan on going [00:48:00] with one of them. Um, they, they all have, Been super cool with me and uh, I would love between August and September get, getting in there in that timeframe is definitely my goal. Is it another one of those notable promotions?

Big stage like Bellator, potentially Cage Warriors? Again, is it one of, I know you might not be able to say exact exactly what it is, but is it another big stage like you've competed on prior? Yes, sir. Awesome man. And is that exciting for you too? Kind of makes you more motivated for the fight? Hell yeah, man, I love it.

You know, I'm down, I'm down to fight kind, kind of wherever, you know. But, uh, of course the, the bigger, big opportunities, you know, that's, that's what we do it for, you know, so, uh, any, any of the above, I, I would love to fight for, for any of 'em, you know? Yeah, man, I love to hear it. If I, if I went back and told you the night of your amateur debut when you were fighting in front of a small crowd, and I believe in another podcast, you said it was at like a trampoline park.

Would you have believed me if I told you that night that three [00:49:00] fights into your pro career, you'd be two and one, have that viral moment in your loss and have competed for Bellator, Uriah FABERs promotion and Cage warriors. I would say go home. You're drunk. Yeah. There's no way, bro. I'd be like, no way, man.

I, I think you were, you were bullshitting. You know, I never, never in a million years would've thought I would've. You know, gotten the opportunities that I've gotten so far, and that's just a testament, you know, I, I know people always say like self-made and all that kind of stuff, but I think that's bullshit to be honest, man, I'm definitely, I.

I've gotten awesome opportunities because I've been surrounded with awesome people. You know, um, you know, I, I got a good work ethic and everything and all of that, but all, all fighters, do you know what I mean? That's, that's nothing. That's, we all work hard. We all train hard. We all want the big opportunities, so that's not unique to me.

However, something that is unique to me is, you know, my coach Sonny Ramos, my team at [00:50:00] nobody, m m a. My, the team I started with in, you know, United, uh, m m A in Hawaii. It's just, that's not unique, you know, and it, and my resume speaks for itself, the promotions I for, and you know, at this early in my career, it's doesn't happen often, you know what I'm saying?

So, uh, that's. And I never in a million years would've known to how to even start with that. You know, I wouldn't have been able to get in contact with any of those people, or that's all a testament to the people around me that have absolutely gotten me those opportunities. So I am endlessly fortunate to have those people around me.

So if I tell you those things at your amateur debut, you tell me, go home, you're drunk. At what point in your, I guess, amateur career did you kind of feel like, okay, yeah, these things are possible? Honestly, man, not really not, I don't wanna say not ever. Cuz you know, towards the end of my AM amateur career, I definitely was like, man, I feel like I'm ready to go pro.

You know, that. [00:51:00] That was always, always in there, you know? But if you would've told me my debut was gonna be for Bellator, if you would've told me that after my last amateur fight, I'd been like, no way, man. And then, yeah, I got that call and I was like, get the fuck outta here man. That's so awesome. So, yeah, and I, I still, I'm still that way, you know?

Every, I'm still super pumped, you know, like Cage Warriors, a one, Bellator, whoever it's been, all of 'em are pretty cool, man. You know, it's just, it's kind of crazy to be a part of it, cuz in my head I'm still. You know that, that little kid in Ohio, you know what I mean? Right. So it's, it is pretty cool to even just be there and be a part of it.

And I'm, I'm just lucky to have people watching me fucking beat people up. That's kind of cool. And in terms of your career, what are some of your goals, both short term and long term in mixed martial arts? I would say short term and long term goals. You know, long term. Probably like a lot of fighters, you know, I, I wanna be in the U F C, that's what I'm working towards.

I, I would [00:52:00] love, would love that long term. And then more just personal goals, just stuff that I want to do for me long term. You know, I would love, like I said, I gotta fight in Ohio by the time I'm done, I gotta, I wanna fight. My sister's never seen me fight. Um, I really want my sister to be there. She's, uh, Got a baby and she's got a lot, lot going on.

However, it would be really special to me if, uh, she could be in the crowd at some point in the future, is definitely a goal of mine. Trying to think of other things, man. That, you know, I would say what, what else I wanna do? It's a good question. Oh, I wanna fight overseas. I wanna definitely have an international fight at some point.

That would be awesome and that that's something I think could happen that doesn't have to be super far down the road. You know, I would love to fight internationally. That's a really good question. Just kind of, kind of wait and see, but yeah, I, I just, I guess I'm kind of a, kind of an opportunist, you know, I'm not, not so much like I have to follow this specific [00:53:00] path to get to this specific goal.

You know, I have my goals and I'm gonna reach 'em. However, I want to take the dopest fights and the dopest opportunities on the way there. You know, I'm, I'm not opposed to, to any fight, whatever. It's, you know, that's, That's why I took those kickboxing fights and fights kind of at random places, you know?

And I, I'm down for whatever man. If it's something that genuinely excites me, I'll hop on that all day, you know, cuz at the end of the day, we're all gonna be dead one day. You know what, I, I don't wanna look back and be like, man, that would've been cool, but I kind of played it safe and did this or that and yeah, fuck that man.

I wanna, I wanna, I wanna take the best fights. For like things that interest me the most, you know? Um, cause at the end of the day, that's why I do it, man. I, I do it cause I love it and I think that's what what'll keep, keep me loving it for the long term. You know, just having fun with it. Like I said, just having fun with it, man.

Knowing that you wanna fight overseas. Let me throw this one [00:54:00] at you. Other than Cleveland, Ohio, of course. Cuz again, fortune, Ohio, we're gonna promote Ohio more than anything. Of course. What is your dream location and I guess dream opponent as well for you to fight at and to fight the opponent? Man, that's a good question.

I think so. Dream place, I think Rome would be fucking sick just cuz like the gladiator lineage and all that, you know, that would be kind of cool to. Have that true modern day gladiator feel in a fight. You know, it would be awesome to fight in Rome and the dream opponent. Ooh. I would love kind of, I think it would be awesome to fight like a childhood hero.

You know what I mean? Okay. It would be cool to, to fight someone that. I loved watching as a kid. It would be awesome to get in there and just throw down with him, you know what I mean? Just, just for little Blake, you know, just to, just to go out there and fight someone that I looked up to and would continue to look up to, you know?

But I think that would be awesome. So then that's a, that's a giant list of people. [00:55:00] I can't even name a specific one, but yeah. Yeah, man, I love the, the romance, so that would be awesome. Yeah. That gladiator feel like you mentioned too. Do you think that by the time your career is over that you'll be remembered for more than just the broken nose you suffered in your second pro fight?

Are you gonna go on, do more and, and, and bigger things too? I think so, man. I think so. I think if I just, again, one of those things that if I don't focus on it too much, if I just keep, just keep being me, you know what I mean? I think. Memorable shit will happen. You know what I mean? Right. Just cause I'm kind of a, I'm kind of a weirdo and people remember me anyway.

So I think if I just keep, just keep being genuine to myself and going out there and doing it, cuz I love it. I think the, the re memorable stuff will happen. You know what I mean? And that's kind of the kind of how it went so far. You know, I think I'll just kind of stay on that path. And you know, and hey, if people only remember me for the broken nose, like I said, maybe I don't know.

I'll get a t-shirt deal or [00:56:00] something when I'm retired and make some money off that. So, Fair enough, man. Do you think you're gonna go on, do bigger things and be more well known for other things as opposed to just that broken nose that you suffered in your second pro fight? Before we wrap up, Blake, anything you want to shout out in terms of social media handles, sponsorships, things going on at your gym?

The floor is yours, man. Yes. Um, so first and foremost, I wanna shout out am Kapa, um, the Land Shark and Julian pdo. Those are two of my teammates. There're fighting in, uh, Napa, California this Saturday. 24th, uh, for my, my buddy Amini is fighting for his first amateur belt. So, you know, I'm, I, like I said, I'm sure this will probably come out after that or whatever, but I just wanna shout out to those guys cause I'm super proud of him.

I'm super stoked. And then everyone else in the gym, my, my buddy's, Terrence Saturn, Caesar Gonzalez, the whole fight team, Houston Schick, uh, our coach, Sonny Ramos. [00:57:00] Just got the, he got awarded the fucking key to the city last night, actually. Yeah. Just for all the awesome things he's done with the gym and the community.

So shout out everyone there. And then of course my, my family back home, you know. Yeah, just, just everyone, all my family, all the, all the kids, you know, my brothers got little kids, my sister's got little kids. My cousin, Joe, I grew up with, he's like a brother to me. His, his son too, and his family outside of that, you know, I think that that's pretty much it, man.

Uh, my Instagram is Blake, m m a one 70. Other than that, I don't really have much social media, but yeah, I'm, I'm on Instagram. Yeah, man. Shout out to you too. I appreciate it. I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for reaching out. You know what I mean? I, I had a lot of fun, so shout out to you too. Yeah, of course, man.

Thank you. And, uh, good luck to your teammates this weekend. That's big news there. You also have a tattoo shop in Ohio, right? That you go to? Yes, yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Um, my cousin, Joe that I just brought up, the one I grew up with. Yeah. Um, yes. Uh, telltale [00:58:00] tattoos in Youngstown, Ohio. He's doing big things over there.

So, uh, definitely anyone, A lot of Ohio people obviously listen to this podcast, so anyone in the Youngstown area definitely hit up telltale tattoos. Joe Perry on Instagram, and I'm, I'm sure he would love, love to work with you guys. So, uh, he does awesome work and I'm. Definitely a big tattoo fan myself, so I don't go, don't go anywhere else when I'm out there.

Yeah, man. Even somebody like me, like I'm looking out for a tattoo artist, so maybe I'll, I'll check him out too, man. Hell yeah, man. Absolutely. Sure. Do you have a favorite piece of your own? I would say probably. Probably my stomach piece. I think I have a, I'm a deuce ahead on my stomach that my cousin did.

That is pretty gnarly. I like that one a lot. Yeah. That's sick, man. Well, thanks again, Blake, for joining me on the show. I enjoyed digging through your career and even more so talking to you about it. You have a very infectious personality and you certainly brought that here to the show Before I let you go, I know you've been away from Ohio for some time now, but I always end interviews [00:59:00] on Fortune Ohio with the O H I O chant, so help me out here, man.

O h. Io. Thanks Blake. Again, it was a pleasure talking to you, man. I appreciate you joining me. I can't wait to see what you do next in mma and hopefully we can do this again down the line. Hey man, I appreciate you and, uh, when I'm back home, let's kick it, dude, if you're around, let's, let's kick it when I'm back in Ohio, 100%, man, let's do it.