Catching up with Jordan “Pretty Boy” Parsons
Jordan Parsons born in North Dakota and fighting out of Minnesota is making big things happen for himself in Miami. The reigning CFA featherweight champion, Parsons defeated Miami’s own Danny Chavez to win CFA’s featherweight tournament, it’s $20,000 prize and his title at CFA 05. But with becoming the inaguaral tournament champion and current featherweight title holder, Parsons knows his situation in the promotion has changed.
“It feels like there is a giant target on my back and I love it. People are finally beginning to recognize me and finally give a little respect in this sport. I think the old Ricky Bobby (from the movie Talledega Nights) saying fits pretty well “If you’re not first, you’re last,” Parsons chuckled. “But in all seriousness being the champ was one of the goals I set out to achieve when I first heard of this tourney and when I put my mind to it as everyone has now seen I will achieve that goal… I didnt see this tourney going any other way.”
Parsons who trains out of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy with well-known fighters such as Sean Sherk, Nik Lentz and Jacob Volkmann admitted that his fight against MMA Masters Chavez was tougher than he expected. “Danny was a tougher opponent than I initially expected. He comes to fight and isn’t looking to give up and I can respect that. This past 5 round battle with him was both good and bad. Good because I got to test my cardio against a game opponenet as well as he showed me a couple things that I need to work on. Bad in the sense that I did not come up with the finish and was in some very close subs myself. My hat was off to him and although I did not get the finish I still came out with the W.”
But Parsons doesn’t share the same level of respect for Chavez’ teammate and the prior CFA featherweight champion who vacated the title when he moved to lightweight, Luis “Baboon” Palomino. Palimino has spent most of 2012 verbally attacking Parsons, going so far as to challenge him to a fight in the CFA at 145 pounds. When asked about the situation with Palomino, Parsons held nothing back.
“As far as he goes I do not feel the same mutual respect as I do from Danny Chavez. To me the Baboon is another hometown hero geeked up on local celeb status I mean how old is this guy? And fighting guys like “Krazy Horse” Bennett who, no disrespect to him, passed his prime in this sport and is a fighter of the past. When I say the past I’m referencing the dramatic change and evolution this sport has made in the past 10yrs and the rise in the level of competition. That being said the Baboon see’s me and I think he saw it as an opportunity to try and make his own name, which outside of South Florida is unknown,” Parsons continued. ”All kinds of people were like who is this guy? And I’m talking legit high level fighters to fans from Canada. So as far as as my thoughts on Baboon, I’d have to say they are nothing but quick chuckles at the expense of his frustration via Twitter. I mean he went as far as to say he would slap me [the] next time he saw me in Miami. Way to threaten a professional fighter with an open hand strike. What a joke from the Peruvian that got Peruvian necktied. To me it makes him a contradiction perfect for one of those Skittles commercials which is awesome!”
Even with the target on his back Parson’s has found the chance to relax a bit since winning the tournament and it’s prizes. With the money he has already bought new gear, hired a strength and conditioning coach, and has started going to a better boxing gym to improve on the skills that have already brought him to an unblemished 7-0 record. He puts that record and his title on the line at CFA 07 against Lazar Stojadinovic on June 30th at the Bank United Center. Parsons says he has told and will continue to tell all future opponents the same thing. ”Be prepared because I’m about to hand you an ass woooping,” Parsons expleind. ”Unfortunately for him he has caught a rested newly improved Pretty Boy Parsons. I can not wait to fight again this break for me has been bittersweet meaning I needed it but it has made me anxious to get back after it.”
As for the future, Parsons knows that he wants to make it to the UFC and is willing to get there anyway he can. When asked if he would prefer to follow former CFA stars Mike “The Wolverine” Rio who is on this seasons The Ultimate Fighter or go straight to the show like Yoislandy “Cuba” Izquierdo, Parsons had no preference. “I feel like as long as I work hard and put it on the line in the cage how can the UFC not notice? I just figure when the time is right it will happen whether it be The Ultimate Fighter or just that phone call.”
And when he reaches the big time who would Pretty Boy Parsons like to fight? “Mark Homminick. I met that guy back in the day before he was anyone and man as he has gotten more attention he got brand new on everyone on the local amateur scene he would frequent. I really don’t like that guy so hopefully one day!! But of course I would like to fight [current UFC featherweight champion] Jose Aldo or [current Bellator champion] Pat Curran one day. They are the top in my weight class, why would I not want that challenge? In the end is that not what its all about? I know for me it is train hard be the best and beat the best.”
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