When Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson made his highly anticipated MMA debut at LFA 217, most of the spotlight was on him. But across the cage stood Braden Peterson, a 37-year-old Montana MMA fighter, construction worker, and former police officer who had already made headlines with a 14-second KO in his pro debut. Known as “Bloodaxe,” Peterson turned the moment into a message: it’s never too late to chase a dream.

Gable Steveson MAULS Braden Peterson in the first round of his MMA debut.

WHAT A START TO HIS CAREER 🔥 #LFA217 @LFAfighting pic.twitter.com/cN1zffVCU3

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 13, 2025

From a Lightning Debut to the Big Stage at LFA 217

“You win your pro debut in 14 seconds and it sets the tone,” Peterson told MMA Sucka. “Honestly the only real downside my age brings is that I have less time in the game, which is why I’ve had seven fights this year and still trying to get at least one more.”

That urgency drove him to seize the opportunity when LFA called.

“Facing Gable Steveson was my first time experiencing something that big as the co-main event for such a huge promotion against a very famous opponent,” Peterson said. “Even though everyone was there for him and booing me when I walked out, it was still such a cool experience to feel that many people watching. The sound of the crowd rumbled the cage and I could feel it in my bones.”

For fans, Peterson’s willingness to step into the cage against Steveson at LFA 217 made him more than just an underdog — it highlighted the grit of a fighter still building his resume in the LFA heavyweight division.

Handling Pressure Like a Veteran

Peterson credits his years in law enforcement for shaping his composure under the lights.

“I was a police officer for nearly 10 years and have experienced so many actual life or death situations that the pressure from fighting hardly phases me,” he explained. “I loved every second of it. It’ll be hard to go back to smaller events after experiencing something that big.”

Fighting Style and Training in Montana

With a base in Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, Peterson believes his strengths allow him to stay versatile in the heavyweight division. Training out of Absolute Training Center in Polson, Montana, he admits the location brings challenges but also reinforces his identity as a Montana MMA fighter.

His nickname, “Bloodaxe Braden Peterson,” reflects that mindset. For him, it’s about charging forward relentlessly, win or lose.

What Fans Should Take Away

More than results, Peterson wants audiences to connect with his journey.

“What I hope people take away from my fights is any form of inspiration,” Peterson said. “I’m an old man, a construction worker from a small town in Montana chasing his dreams. I want people to hear my story and know that it’s never too late and the challenges are never too big to go after what you want. Life is short, stop wasting it.”

Looking Ahead After LFA 217

Now sitting at 1-1 as a professional, Peterson sees the next year as an opportunity to reset and pursue new goals.

“My goal when I started fighting was to get to the LFA,” he explained. “I ended up reaching that goal in only nine months, so I had to reevaluate. Ideally, I’ll get back on the winning side of things and get a title fight to become a world champion. That’s my realistic goal that I plan to work towards now, but I would obviously jump at any opportunity to get a UFC contract. I don’t care who it is, when it is, where it is, short notice…I don’t say no to opportunities.”

For Peterson, every step into the cage is about more than wins and losses. It’s about urgency, belief, and permission for others to chase their own late starts.

Closing Thoughts

Braden Peterson at LFA 217 may not have left with a win, but he left with something more lasting: a message about resilience and opportunity. For a former police officer and construction worker from Montana who only turned pro this summer, simply sharing the cage with one of the most hyped prospects in the sport was its own victory.

Whether his future takes him to another LFA showcase or a short-notice UFC debut, Peterson’s story is already proof that time is no barrier when drive is strong enough.

Reporting Note: This story is based on a written Q&A with Braden Peterson conducted for MMA Sucka in September 2025 prior to LFA 217. All quotes are taken directly from his answers and lightly edited for clarity.