LOS ANGELES — Adult film star Derrick Pierce won the 2014 XBIZ Award for Best Actor in a Couples-Themed Release for his MMA-themed feature "Tuff Love," a film he directed and starred in for Wicked Pictures. He received the honor on Friday night at the Century Plaza Hotel.
It marked the first XBIZ Award for the veteran performer who has also shown acting chops in numerous dramas and parodies in recent years.
"I am so honored to receive the 2014 XBIZ Award for Best Actor in a Couples-Themed Release," Pierce said. "'Tuff Love' was a film that I directed as well as starred in and it's really rewarding to know that fans and critics appreciate my work."
A certified Crossfit Affiliate and personal trainer, Pierce is set to debut the first mobile crossfit affiliate in February. He brought his expertise in MMA to "Tuff Love," a film that combines explicit sex with mixed martial arts that co-starred Adrianna Luna and Jessica Drake.
Pierce, a former member of the U.S. national taekwondo team, has more than 500 titles as a performer to his credit. He still trains MMA fighters—including Wicked's Drake, who worked with him for two months in preparation for her “Tuff Love” role.
Photo of Pierce with Romi Rain by Juan Botero.
