by Dustin De La Torre
A few days back, Fight Hub TV was invited to tour The Arena MMA training facility in San Diego, CA. Home to the Ribiero brothers, The Cyborgs (Evangelista and Cristane) and others, The Arena has made a name for itself in San Diego as one of the premier MMA gyms around. We had a chance to speak with Curtis “The Demon” Demarce who coincidentally happen to be training while we were on tour. We took the opportunity to speak to him about his upcoming bout at MFC 30 against UFC veteran Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis this Friday April 8 on HD Net.
FHTV: Tell us about the fight with Marcus Davis, how did it come about?
Curtis Demarce: I got the call from Mark Pavelich right after my fight with Richie Whitson. My boy Kajan Johnson is still hurt with a shoulder injury and the MFC gave me a call to fight Marcus Davis. So now I am down here in San Diego at The Arena gym training. I feel good right now and we are a week out now.
FHTV: When do you leave to go to Canada for all your pre-fight functions?
Curtis Demarce: My flight leaves Tuesday afternoon. The press conference is Wednesday, weigh-ins are Thursday after noon and I can’t wait for my fight on Friday.
FHTV: How’s the weigh cut going?
Curtis Demarce: My weight is right on, I like to stay pretty lean and light. I don’t like to cut too much before the fight. I try and keep it really low. My diet has been really well, I about 10-12 pounds off right now.
FHTV: Tell us about getting the chance to fight someone like Marcus Davis who is a UFC veteran? This could catapult your career to a different level?
Curtis Demarce: Yeah it’s a great opportunity; he for sure is a veteran of the sport who even has pro boxing experience. He is a big name and I am not going to take that away from him but at the same time a fight is a fight. I look at every single fight the same; I go in there with my game plan and focus on me.
FHTV: How do you see this fight going? Do you see it hitting the ground or are you looking to stand and bang with him?
Curtis Demarce: I think we are both very similar. We are both boxers who like to stand and bang. We are both stubborn and like to sit in the pocket and swing and I think that if we catch each other it may be a blood fest and a great fight. It is going to be a war and I know we are both looking to stand and bang.
FHTV: You are originally from Canada training here in the States at The Arena gym here in San Diego. Who are some of the guys you have trained with here?
Curtis Demarce: I have never been to a gym with so much talent. I came down here for my last training camp and have been training down here for the last year now getting to train with the likes of KJ Noons, the Ribeiro’s (Saulo, Xande, Alexandre) for BJJ, Joe Duarte; there are so many good guys here. Every single guy here is willing to help you out. My camp and I came up with a great game plan and I have been training hard and I feel great. I just want to thank The Arena for helping me out.
FHTV: What are your feelings about fighting in your home country? Or is there more pressure on Marcus since he is coming to your backyard?
Curtis Demarce: I think there is more pressure on Marcus. He is coming off two tough losses in the UFC and being the big name that he is. I think having his debut for the MFC in Canada, my country; I think he has all the pressure on him. I believe it’s a bigger fight for him. I am use to fighting in my country and I have only fought once outside of Canada. I welcome Marcus Davis to Canada.
FHTV: Being away form home is it easier or harder to train?
Curtis Demarce: I think it is a little hard because home is home and you have all your stuff back out home. Cooking in my own kitchen back at home is a lot easier and things like that but the training and coaching here is phenomenal.
FHTV: What do you like to do in your free time away from fighting?
Curtis Demarce: I like to dirt bike and chill out with the guys. I like going to the beach and here in San Diego the beaches are amazing. When back at home I enjoy snowboarding; I really just like to do whatever helps me relax like hanging out with family, friends and my girlfriend.
FHTV: How does your girlfriend get the night of one your fights?
Curtis Demarce: She’s great and helps me focus a lot. She is very into health and dieting so she helps me get into that state of mind and she also helps me relax. Everyone is very supportive, my friends and family to my coaches. I am very excited; this is the fight of my life
FHTV: It sounds like you have a great support system. Would you like to thank any of your sponsors?
Curtis Demarce: I would like to thank my management World Sports Management; I’d like to thank Full Tilt Poker, Clinch Gear, MMA Overload, Gama-O, Popeye Supplements in Toronto and a big thank you to my friends and family back home and everyone here at Arena MMA in San Diego. If you guys are here in San Diego come check the gym out.
FHTV: Good luck against Marcus! You can Check Curtis Demarce on HDNET at 6 pm on Friday April 8.
