Legacy Fighting Alliance fighter, Steven ‘Ocho’ Peterson was gracious enough to answer some questions for us. Peterson is a former champion in LFA and is currently one of the best bantamweights on the planet.

Some of our readers may not be familiar with you as of yet, so tell us, who is Steven Peterson?

‘Than Man of Steel’ Steven ‘Ocho’ Peterson is a former world champion who belongs amongst the best in the world.

What exposed you to MMA?

When I was young I regularly got into fights on the streets and throughout high school. I started this thing called ‘Friday Night Fights’ in my backyard and had kids from school gather to fight in fair fights in the backyard. This led me to begin training and competing in sanctioned events.

You’re a very talented fighter, but was it always that way? What made your realise that you could make a career from fighting?

When I started fighting my only skill was that I refused to quit. After my first amateur fight I knew this was my calling. I then began working on skills starting with Muay Thai, then working in some wrestling and boxing to round out my game.

You were the king of Legacy FC’s bantamweight division. What was your reaction to the merging with RFA?

I was shocked at first. It’s a huge move for Legacy and the whole sport in general. Both Legacy and RFA were the top feeders to the UFC so now I’m sure this super league will send even more fighters to the UFC and be a breading ground to grow some of the best up and coming fighters in the world.

In your first title defence, you were defeated by Leandro Higo at LFA 1. Did you agree with the decision? What did you put your defeat down to?

There’s no question Leandro won that fight. I feel I may have won a round or two but that’s beside the point. I was not defeated that night but I was beaten. He landed the better strikes. I just fell short.

Do you think you deserve a rematch? If not, what’s next for you?

Leandro belongs in the top ten of the UFC. So do I. I could have won that fight any given day. I almost did win that fight. At no point was he close to finishing me or breaking me. I came close… He was phasing in and out while fighting off that choke. I can finish anyone in the world. I know that. Sure, I have some things to improve on and it’s a constant work in progress, but I’m a top ten level fighter. I will get there. As for what’s next, we’ll see. I need to heal and get back to training. We’ll see what opportunity presents itself next.

LFA has attracted a lot of attention since the concept was announced. How big can you see LFA getting? What does the future hold?

LFA will be the number two promotion next to the UFC. They will develop talented young fighters until they’re ready to step up to the big show and fight for the UFC.

The bantamweight divisions in every promotion are stacked with talent. Who would you say is the best bantamweight on the planet right now?

That would be Cody Garbrandt. He’s the champ. Next would be Dominick Cruz.

If you could fight any fighter from any promotion and any generation, who would it be and why?

I’d like to fight Urijah Faber. Too bad he just retired. I watched him come up in the WEC and always admired his fights.

Who was/is your MMA idol?

I don’t have just one. I’m a fan of many. I try to learn from them all. I don’t idolize any man but I do have great respect for those who have the most heart.

What would you say is your specialty in the cage? What is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is my heart and my ability to finish the fight from any position.

What are your goals for the future? Where do you see your career going?

I want to fight for the UFC by the end of 2017. The sky’s the limit for me. I will be UFC champion! Watch me!

What’s the best thing about being a Mixed Martial Artist?

The best part of being a martial artist is being able to do what I love for a living and making my own schedule.

What’s the toughest thing about being a Mixed Martial Artist?

When you’re injured, you still have to teach and work around it. It can be very demanding, both physically and mentally.

You have a very interesting nickname. Where does the name ‘Ocho’ come from? What made you decide to adopt it as your nickname?

When I was a sophomore at high school, I moved from LA, California to McKinney, Texas and joined the football team. I was number eight and I did not fit in with most of the kids at school. They picked on me and called me ‘Ocho.’ This lead me to lash out and fight them. Before long the who school knew me as ‘Ocho,’ and soon after the whole town. There I began my fighting career and just kept the nickname.

When you aren’t fighting or preparing for a fight, what do you enjoy doing? How do you unwind?

To unwind I build Lego and model rockets, or I play video games with my son, Keison.

We at MMA Thread would like to thank ‘Ocho’ for this amazing opportunity. We would like to wish him the best of luck in the rest of his MMA career.