DOHA — Calgary Muay Thai fighter Jake (the One) Peacock stopped Japanese bantamweight Shinji Suzuki in the third round Thursday at One 171: Qatar to record his second win in as many One Championship outings.
Peacock, who was born without a right hand, kept coming forward and doing damage at Lusail Sports Arena. Suzuki went down three times in the third round, prompting referee Olivier Coste to stop the fight at one minute 31 seconds.
Peacock and Suzuki were originally due to meet Nov. 8 on a card that shifted from Atlanta to Bangkok before being postponed to Thursday in Qatar. Peacock won his One Championship debut last April via unanimous decision over Japanese bantamweight Kohei (Samurai Warrior) Shinjo in Bangkok.
"I've reinvented myself since 10 months ago," Peacock said after the win. "Listen, One Championship, you have to get me in here quick. I want to go. I want to be active. I want to fight every few months. Get me as many fights as possible I'm always ready. And I'll always be a different animal.
"And I sell tickets, baby," he added with a shout.
The main event pitted strawweight MMA champion Joshua (The Passion) Pacio of the Philippines against interim title-holder Jarred (The Monkey God) Brooks of the United States in a trilogy bout to unify the title. And Britain's Jonathan (The General) Haggerty defended his One kickboxing bantamweight title against China's Wei Rui, the No. 1 contender who has won 21 straight fights.
The 31-year-old Peacock was born without a right hand after the amniotic band was wrapped around his arm in the early stages of development, which stopped it from growing.
He only wears one glove but uses his right arm to deliver elbows and other strikes.
Peacock, who weighed in at 143.25 pounds, was giving up nine inches in reach and two in height to the five-foot-nine Suzuki. It did not seem an issue.
The English-born Canadian chopped Suzuki down early with a low kick and had Suzuki backing up as the round wore on.
Peacock came forward again in the second round and Suzuki went down again briefly. The round was paused after Suzuki took an inadvertent blow to the groin.
Peacock punished Suzuki at the fence, knocking him down again, and staggered him with a nasty elbow to the face.
Suzuki came out swinging in the third round but went down again, first by strike to the head and then a leg kick. Bleeding from the bridge of his nose, Suzuki sagged to he canvas a third and final time after taking a knee to the stomach and elbow to the head.
Suzuki, 39, fell to 1-2-0 in One competition, He won the "Road to One: Japan" tournament to earn his place on the roster.
One's Muay Thai bouts feature three three-minute rounds (five rounds for a title bout) with fighters wearing four-ounce mixed martial arts gloves. Knockouts can be scored via punch, kick, knee, elbow or legal throw.
Peacock earned his spot with the Asian-based combat sports promoter by winning the "Road to One" tournament to secure a US$100,000, six-fight contract.
He presents a unique challenge. While Muay Thai is known as the art of eight limbs (fists, elbows, knees, shins), Peacock has adapted to his body.
Peacock, the founder and head coach at Calgary's Dunamis Gym which he owns with wife Christa, calls himself a puzzle with missing pieces."
His father, Gavin Peacock, played soccer for 18 years, scoring more than 135 goals for England's Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea and Newcastle United among other clubs. He turned to ministry after his playing career, moving to Canada.
Born and raised in London, Jake was enrolled in martial arts at the age of seven to learn discipline and self-defence. After moving to Canada at 14, Peacock transitioned to full contact Kyokushin Karate, eventually moving to Muay Thai and kickboxing.
As he did in Bangkok, the Albertan entered and leave the ring wearing a cowboy hat.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2025.
The Canadian Press
