5 Things You Might Not Know About Trevor Peek

Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Trevor Peek is set to make his fourth appearance inside the Octagon against Charlie Campbell this weekend. The bout is set to unfold on April 6 at UFC Fight Night 240 at the Apex Facility. Banking on a 2-1 promotional record and having never been finished in 11 professional fights, Peek epitomizes the kind of fighter that fans love to tune in to watch. Ahead of his clash against Campbell, we take a look at five things you might not know about the man behind the violence:

The Genesis of a Fighter

Peek’s initial dalliance with combat sports unfolded in street fights, where his innate talent and fierce determination came to the fore. A chance encounter with a fellow student turned providential, igniting the flame as Peek’s fighting career slowly took shape. Speaking in an interview with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he stated:

“I had a good friend that trained whenever we were in high school. He was really big into the UFC, and he told me when I was 14 years old that if you ever wanted to make a lot of money you could do it in fighting. It kind of stuck with me, and throughout the years I had all kinds of people telling me they thought I could make it.”

Roots of Fighting

The Alabama native fought for the first time in an unsanctioned fight when he was 15. Following that, he went on to compete in three more mixed martial arts bouts without any formal training. While reflecting on his path, he claims that in 2017, he began practicing on a punching bag at his grandfather’s place. The following year, a group of friends took the initiative to train at a local karate dojo. That set the course for a journey distinguished by professionalism as he further articulates:

“I finally met my first striking coach, Jeff Powell, in June of 2018 at Haskew Jiu Jitsu in Kimble, Tennessee, and I haven't lost a fight since we met. I started fighting because I loved it. I street fought so much as a teenager, and I knew I was good at it. It also helped save my life and kept me out of trouble. I started it to make a difference.”

Fighting for a Change

Peek had to endure trials of poverty, addiction and internal strife, completely recognizing the rarity of his rise from such adversity to making it to the UFC. Now, rooted in his core is the fervent desire to proffer optimism to those ensnared in comparable adversities, whether within his community’s confines or beyond. He views the UFC’s limelight as a conduit for catalyzing transformation and building a “better life” for himself and his family.

Woodwork to Warfare

Before embarking on his fighting career, Peek pursued two semesters of welding at college. He also worked as a carpenter before turning professional.

The Veil of Technique

In an interview with the UFC, Peek claimed that his favorite grappling technique lies in the power of slamming his opponents or exerting control from the top position. When it comes to the striking department, he favors the potency of his right hand or fancies the impact of a jumping teep kick.