We recently connected with Blake Torchon and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Blake, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Back in December 2022, I had just finished my second amateur MMA fight, winning in 38 seconds by TKO (Technical Knockout). The guy I was fighting had already won his last two fights by knockout, but I was able to finish him in under a minute. Right after that, the promoter leaned over and whispered in my ear that I’d be fighting for the 145 lb belt next. Up until that moment, I had seen MMA as a fun hobby, but that’s when I first realized it could become a full-time career.

Blake, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Blake “Cheesecake” Torchon, the top-ranked amateur MMA fighter known not only for my skills in the ring but also for making delicious cheesecakes. My dad’s favorite dessert has always been cheesecake, so for Father’s Day in 2016, I baked him a traditional New York-style cheesecake. He loved it so much that he raved about it to the rest of the family, and before I knew it, I became the go-to person for cheesecakes at any family or friend event.

It got to the point where people would put out store-bought desserts first at their functions and hide my cheesecakes in the back for the select few they deemed worthy to share. Eventually, this reputation spread to my training partners and coaches. When I signed up for my first MMA fight, the promoter asked me what my fighter nickname would be. After about 10 seconds of deliberation, my coach told them to just write down “Cheesecake.” By my second MMA fight, another coach found the Louis Armstrong song for me to walk out to, and the nickname stuck.

The goal is to grow my brand and work with a bakery or distributor to sell my own fighter-themed cheesecakes in stores. I also want to offer keto options for athletes who have a sweet tooth but still want to stick to their diets. My vision is to become the “Blake Cheesecake” version of “Patty’s Pies.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Fighters don’t actually compete at their normal walking-around weight. I believe many people who haven’t participated in combat sports don’t fully understand the toll constant dieting takes on the body. Losing 10% of your body weight in a week, only to regain it within 24 hours, is a unique experience. The way your mindset shifts as you push yourself toward severe dehydration just for those few seconds on the scale is drastic and unlike anything else.

Every decision I make, from what I eat to how I train, requires careful planning and focus. This level of discipline has carried over into every aspect of my life, teaching me the importance of commitment, consistency, and pushing through discomfort to reach my goals.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being truly free to express your brand in any way you see fit is invaluable. Nowadays, combat sports have become such a widespread platform, thanks to social media. There are multiple ways to engage with your audience beyond just sharing my thoughts on fighting. Being an MMA fighter who sells cheesecakes is such a niche job description that I never would have imagined could be possible growing up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: blakemmaofficial

Image Credits

Combat Night MMA
Early Stoppage