FORMER Premier League star Gavin Peacock’s son enjoyed a dream start to his MMA career.
The retired midfielder played for the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Chelsea.
@Beyond_KickJake Peacock is a professional MMA fighter[/caption]
@Beyond_KickHe was born with a rare condition and has one hand[/caption]
His father Gavin Peacock is a Chelsea legendRichard Pelham
After hanging up his boots, Peacock Sr worked as a Match of the Day pundit before moving his family to Canada to start a new life as a pastor.
His son Jake, who was born without a right hand, has gone down a completely different career path and is a professional MMA fighter.
He made his ONE Championship debut last night, beating rival Kohei Shinjo.
Jake demolished him in three rounds, with his battered and bruised opponent carried out the ring and put in a wheelchair.
The fighter, who has both British and Canadian citizenship, was born without his right hand and forearm due to a rare condition.
But Jake is not letting his disability hold him back, saying: “A lot of people come into the fight and maybe think that is my weaker side and are going to target that area but it has not worked out for anyone who has done that.
“I can’t help but finish people. I do damage with my right arm. I have dropped a couple of people.
“I manage my distance and range well and I make it uncomfortable for people.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
From Prem star to pastor
Gavin Peacock made his name as a Premier League star for Newcastle and Chelsea.
At the Toon, he played 105 times and scoring 16 goals in the 1991/92 season to win win their Player of the Year award.
It led to Chelsea signing him for £1.5m in 1993 and he was the Blues’ top scorer in the 1993/94 campaign.
After retiring, Peacock became a pundit but shockingly quit after Euro 2008.
He went to study a masters course in divinity at Ambrose Seminary, Canada and he is now a church pastor in Calgary.
Peacock said in an interview with QPR: “It was all going very well. So when I gave everything up, it did surprise a number of people.
“It’s been the hardest few years of my life – but coming away from the UK has given me some anonymity.
“Here in Canada, they consider me a preacher, not a footballer or pundit.”
“If they put it on me, I am going to try and give something back.
“I have always been strong and had good technique but when I turned pro I had a whole mindset shift. My mentality was different, I just had this killer instinct in me.
“My dad kicked balls for a living and I kick people’s heads.
“My granddad played over 500 games for Charlton so it is in the blood.”
Phil Shephard-Lewis – The TimesGavin Peacock is a pastor in Canada[/caption]“}]]