‘I Can Fight And I Can Entertain’ – Jake Peacock Promises Spectacular Debut At ONE Friday Fights 58
It takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude to strap on 4-ounce gloves and compete against the world’s best Muay Thai fighters, but the task is even bolder when you have one hand — just ask Jake Peacock.
The 30-year-old limb-different fighter battled his way through the Road to ONE: Canada tournament to earn a spot on ONE Championship’s main roster and now gets the chance to showcase his skills on one of the biggest all-striking cards of the year.
Peacock makes his ONE debut against Kohei Shinjo in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian II in Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on April 5.
Entangled At Birth
While Peacock was developing inside his mother’s womb, part of her amniotic sac separated into lose bands. One of these amniotic bands wrapped itself around his right forearm, preventing the growth of his lower arm.
Because medical technology was lacking in some ways back then, doctor’s didn’t discover the incident until he was born. By then, however, it was too late. Peacock would have to learn to live with only one developed arm.
But ever since an early age he has never shied away from a challenge. Peacock learned this trait from his then-Premier League footballing father and resilient mother, both of whom taught him never to let his limb-difference hinder him.
Peacock remembers:
“My parents were really supportive. They would lead me in a certain direction, but they’d let me figure it out for myself.
“As far as I can remember, I played basketball. I swam competitively. I played everything, as well as football. I did karate and stuck to that. I’ve always had the attitude and outlook to never think of myself as being different. That gave me the mindset that if I wanted to do something, I was going to do it.”
‘I Wasn’t Going To Be Pushed Around’
Fitting in is hard enough for many kids, let alone someone with a physical difference. So by the time school arrived, learning to tie shoes and fix buttons with one hand was the least of Peacock’s problems.
He now had to learn to contend with bullies. Luckily, his parents put him into karate early on. That experience played a pivotal part of his formative years. And he feels fortunate that his first coach, Steve Groom, refused to treat him differently from anybody else.
Peacock said:
“He showed me that I have no limits in any sphere of the sport and he instilled in me the belief that I can do anything I put my mind to.
“There was one time that someone was getting a little physical with me. He pinned me up in the changing room, and that was the time I got into my first fight.
“I’m glad that fight actually happened and that someone forced me into a position that I had to physically defend myself, because then I knew that I wasn’t going to be pushed around.”
Discovering Muay Thai
Peacock continued studying karate but his hunger to improve as a martial artist eventually led him to Muay Thai.
One might think that having half an arm would be a detriment in the sport. But he used his shorter limb — in addition to all the other tools he has — to his advantage whenever he stepped into the ring.
He said:
“If you look at all my fights, I’m 12-1 with 11 finishes. All of my finishes have been something different. It’s either been a left leg or my left hand or my right arm or my right leg to the head or to the body.
“My mom once said after one of my fights that I’m the Swiss Army Knife of Muay Thai because I’ve got lots of different weapons.”
In fact, those weapons led Peacock to multiple local and national Muay Thai titles before he entered his name in the Road to ONE: Canada tournament in 2023.
Testing himself in the world’s largest martial arts organization had always been his dream. So when Peacock was picked to fight in the tournament, he punched and kicked his way to the very end, winning the competition and earning a spot on ONE’s main roster.
It was a moment he predicted would happen. He even messaged ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong on Instagram years prior.
Peacock said:
“From the moment I heard about Road to ONE, I knew I was destined for the world stage. ONE Championship is the world stage. What’s funny is that four years ago, I messaged Chatri. I said I would love the honor of fighting for ONE.”
Limb Loss And Limb Difference Awareness Month
Peacock is now preparing for his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 58 against Shinjo, and his inaugural outing takes place during the annual Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.
In his mind, all the stars have aligned. And with 11 finishes in 12 wins, Peacock believes he’s more than just a limb-different combatant — he believes he’s one of the best fighters overall. Now he plans to show his commitment by putting on the most entertaining fights in ONE.
Peacock said:
“I never even like to draw attention to [my limb difference]. I like to keep my head down and just do what I do and be recognized as a great fighter. It’s an amazing opportunity to inspire and encourage people.
“I knew I was born for the big stage. I was born for the best competition. The thing about me is that I love to entertain. There’s great fighters out there, but there’s not a lot of entertainers – I can fight and I can entertain. That’s what I’m going to do in ONE.”
