Brandon, MB (CKLQ) – Brandon MMA fighter Curtis Demarce is fierce in the ring but has faced major battles outside the ring as well.
In 2012 he was seriously injured in a traffic accident when his car was T-Boned.
He nearly lost his right arm and doctors told him he may lose the use of the arm for the rest of his life.
But he fought back, willing his lifeless arm to make some kind of movement.
Once he achieved that, he eventually regained full use of his arm through extensive rehab and then vowed to get back in the ring.
Fast forward five years and several fights.
He improved his MMA ranking in the featherweight class and gained the attention of major fight promoters who would give him a title shot.
Now, Brandon MMA fighter Curtis Demarce is just getting back on his feet.
During a sparring session, the unthinkable happened.
A bad twist, his sparring partner landed wrong and he heard a sound no fighter likes to hear coming from his own body.
"All of his weight came down on my leg when I was turned the wrong way and we heard a pop," Demarce said.
He decided to go under the knife of a famous sports doctor who made the prognosis quickly.
"We ended up going to the Pan Am clinic, I know the Winnipeg Jets surgeon there, Dr. Peter MacDonald," Demarce said.
Six months later, the 30-year-old Demarce says he’s ready to jump in the ring again.
"This is my passion this is my dream this is something I’ve always wanted as a kid so for me, I think anyone can overcome any obstacle in life it’s just your mindset and how you work at it," Demarce said.
Prior to his injury, Demarce’s ranking was top three among Canada’s mixed martial arts fighters and was training to fight Mui Tai champion Kyle Nelson who is ranked #1 in Canada and #2 in all of Europe.
He wanted this latest round of rehab and training to be long enough.
"I’ve had lots of injuries in the past where I didn’t rehab to the fullest potential that I should have and I lost a bit of range in motion and still get the aches and pains, so I wanted to be ready this time," Demarce said
Demarce has spent the last few weeks training in Sacremento, California.
The latest sessions are rigorous according to Demarce.
"It’s intense, we spend six to eight hours in the gym six days a week at team alpha male," said Demarce.
He adds, he doesn’t mind the high demands one bit.
"I look forward to grinding out the hours and really grow as a mixed martial artists and to go back in the ring and represent my local town and family so it’s exciting," Demarce said.
Prior to the move down to California, he had to turn down a bout in Las Vegas which would act as a tune up fight leading up to his next title fight.
The initial plan was to prepare for a tune up fight which was to take place in Edmonton in November.
However, plans changed "for the better," according to Demarce.
Demarce currently holds the 145 pound weight class title but will now attempt to take the Unified Lightweight championship from Neal Anderson (9-3).
The bout is scheduled for December 7, 2018 at the River Cree casino. Get more details here.
Demarce says another title fight is in the cards, hopefully by February, 2019.