Mark DeLuca talks upcoming Journey Fight Series 140lb tournament

Muay Thai Authority had a chance to catch up with Mark DeLuca to talk about the upcoming Journey Fight Series tournament which takes place on March 5th. The event is stacked from top to bottom with very tough and talented competition in the 140lb division.

MTA: The tournament is pretty stacked, it is a also a random draw so you have no idea who you are fighting in the opening round until the day of the weigh-ins. Does not knowing who exactly you will be fighting affect your preparation at all for the tournament?

Mark: No, not really. I just focused on the fighter that I am going to be and didn't waste time thinking about who I will get. 

MTA: As far as the other competitors in the tournament is there anyone you would particularly like to face in the opening round of the tournament?

Mark: I will just see what cards I'm dealt and go from there.

MTA: Who do you feel is the favorite to win the tournament going in?

Mark: It's so hard to pick a favorite as there are a lot of factors that go into a tournament style event. Coke would have to have the most experience in this but it is going to come down to who wants it the most. Every fight is full Thai rules so anything can happen. One punch, one kick, one knee, one elbow could end a fight.

MTA: Now as far as the tournament goes, are you bound by a contract to keep you from competing in-between rounds of the tournament?

Mark: I believe you are not allowed to fight within 4 weeks of the event. 

MTA: If not bound by a contract do you have anything scheduled after this opening round of the tournament?

Mark: Possibly in May.

MTA: As far as the tournament goes there are four representatives of Canada and four representatives based out of the United States. Although it is an individual tournament do you kind of see it as America vs. Canada?

Mark: It does kinda have that America vs. Canada feel to it, but I guess we will have to see how the draw goes. Should be interesting!

MTA: The tournament is in Canada, so the odds of you having the crowd in your favor aren't likely, does that affect a fighter, and provide a possible advantage to the fighters from Canada?

Mark: I'm always fighting away, an it's usually in my opponents hometown, so nothing new there. It could affect some people, but by now I have learned to block it out. Sure, the Canadians could gain motivation from the extra cheers, but I'll be doing my best to create a few cheers for myself!

MTA: There are a couple of guys you have fought before in the tourney as an AM and a Pro (Justin G. & Nate Smandych) Anyone you rather meet again or would you rather fight fresh faces each round?

Mark: Rematches can always be interesting, Justin and I each have one KO win over each other and I fought Nate 5 years ago as an amateur, but with a tourny as stacked with high profile competition as this one, I would be happy to fight any of them and show what I can do and solidify my name as a top North American Nak Muay! 

MTA: Finally even though you don't know your opponent yet can you give us a prediction for your first round fight?

Mark: My first round fight will consist of me trying to land more punches, kicks, knees and elbows on my opponent than they land on me, hahaa...but seriously, no prediction, just me fighting my heart out and doing my best to display real Muay Thai.