With Move to Lightweight, Dave Courchaine Ready to Make a Run at XFC Title

Following a career best eight-fight winning streak, XFC fighter Dave “Insane” Courchaine suffered his first loss in June to Luis Santos in just 10 seconds.

Such a loss could very well take the wind out of any fighter’s sail, but not so for Courchaine.

Looking back on the loss, Courchaine feels the fight should have been allowed to continue after he was knocked down by a kick just seconds into the bout.

“I don’t feel it was really my fault; the ref jumped in way too early,” said Courchaine. “I blocked almost every punch and the head kick, but it’s just one of those things where the referee has an opinion and he happened to be wrong that time.”

The fight was Courchaine’s debut for the XFC, and while it might be a disappointment, he’s happy in the fact he’s getting a chance to right things in the promotion at their upcoming event this Friday in Muskegon, Mich.

“I take (the loss) with a grain of salt,” said Courchaine. “I got back in the gym the next day and I told John (Prisco, XFC President) that my future is at 155 and he understood that and is giving me another shot. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Courchaine told MMAWeekly.com that the move to lightweight has been a long time coming.

“I’ve always wanted to fight at 155, but I always ended up fighting bigger guys just because it’s easier to match me up with bigger guys than 155ers,” he said. “Now being in the XFC, they’ll find me fights at 155, so I won’t have people ducking me forever like they did at 155 at the smaller shows.”

Courchaine (15-6) will make his lightweight debut against Alexander Trevino (5-3) this Friday in a fight he feels he can win as long as he applies what he used to use at welterweight in his new division.

“I’ve got to stay within myself and let the fight take its natural course,” said Courchaine. “I feel like I’m in incredible shape, I’m coming back stronger and will do the same things, just a little harder this time.”

Having moved past one of the most disappointing moments in his career, Courchaine is looking forward to taking things to new heights in 2014.

“Next year I want to win five fights and have the XFC title,” he said. “I’m going to make a run for the championship.

“I’m not looking past Trevino, but I win this one and will be in top contention, and I win that fight then I get (titleholder) Scott Holtzman and beat him. I want to have the belt by this time next year in the XFC.”

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