Demarce eager to get back in the ring
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/09/2017 (3125 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Brandon mixed martial artist Curtis Demarce returns to the ring tonight.
The 29-year-old, who sports an official record of 17-13 according to sherdog.com, faces Travis Gervais (4-1) in the inaugural Mercenary Combat League 1 card at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg.
Demarce expects plenty of action as he squares off against Gervais, a standup fighter who trains in kickboxing and has some wrestling experience.
“He’s explosive,” Demarce said. “My understanding is that he has some power. He has a low centre of gravity so he has a good solid base. He’s athletic and he comes out hard. … It’s going to be explosive in the first five minutes. It will be fireworks.”
Gervais, 31, last fought in November 2015, with his only loss coming against current UFC fighter Kevin Lee. Three of his four wins came via knockout. Five of Demarce’s 17 wins have come via knockout or TKO.
Demarce took the lightweight fight, which will be fought at 155 pounds, about a month ago.
Mercenary Combat League is run by Andrija Pavlic, a Winnipegger who used to train in Brandon at Fitness Quest.
“I’m just happy that they’re finally bringing back mixed martial arts to Winnipeg,” Demarce said.
If you’re wondering when Demarce will defend the belt he won nearly a year ago, so is he.
Demarce earned the lightweight title in the independent Unified MMA promotion with a third-round technical knockout of Parwez Ghulam.
He hasn’t been able to face a title challenger yet with the Edmonton-based promotion, which focuses on local fighters and doesn’t like to fly people in.
“It’s not a matter of if I’ll defend my title or not — we’ve already talked about it and he (Unified president Sunny Sareen) definitely wants me to — it’s just that I’m searching in other areas right now and getting paid better in other organizations,” Demarce said. “I’ll definitely defend it but unfortunately we haven’t found an opponent yet because the only opponents they’ve offered me so far are locals who I’ve already beaten.”
Demarce had his three-fight winning streak snapped on June 16 in Lethbridge, Alta., when he was submitted via rear-naked choke by Tom O’Connor on a King Of The Cage card, which is not affiliated with Unified MMA. Demarce took the fight on short notice, and struggled with his weight cut. Also, with his spot in the headlining bout, he didn’t fight until 1 a.m.
“By the time I got out there I had an adrenalin dump and just kind of gassed out,” he said. “It was a horrible night. I’ve never had that kind of experience in my whole career.”
Tonight’s card begins at 7 o’clock, with Demarce participating in the second last of the 11 scheduled fights.
» pbergson@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @PerryBergson