Dave Courchaine Getting His Act Together, Rising Up the Ranks

For Washington welterweight Dave Courchaine, when things got difficult in his career it wasn’t so much changes in his training or mindset that helped get him on track, it was the people surrounding him that made the biggest impact.

“It’s having strong people behind me,” Courchaine said. “I got engaged last year and she keeps me in line and gives me extra motivation, so to say.

“I have a lot of friends on the next level and when I spar against those guys I know I’m going to be there shortly, it’s just a matter of time.”

With the support of those around him, Courchaine has won seven in a row, including his most recent victory at King of the Cage: Free Fall 2 on Feb. 22 against Rex Payne.

“Rex is a tough, seasoned fighter and I knew he was no slouch, but I’ve just been on a tear right now,” said Courchaine. “He came out really hard and crazy at me, and I like when guys try to throw punches in bunches because I just sit down and wait for my opportunity, and it did.

“I threw one punch and it landed cleanly. I decided to let him back up and threw a knee – which I don’t know where it came from, I don’t train knees that much – but as soon as I hit him I knew it was a good shot and there was no way he was getting up.”

Now that he’s gained some consistency, Courchaine is focused on joining his teammates at the next level, and perhaps doing so in a promotion he at one time lost an opportunity to fight for, the MFC.

“I couldn’t get into Canada because I was a knucklehead as a 22-year-old and got a DUI, and they don’t let you into Canada with something like that on your record, so I had to turn down a big fight up there,” he said. “The past catches up with you at times, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“(MFC) is thinking about coming down in September to the States. Nathan Coy is the 170-pound champ in the MFC and I lost a controversial fight in my pro debut against him. I was young and wasn’t ready for it (at the time), so I’d like to get back in the ring with him.”

Regardless of where he ends up, Courchaine told MMAWeekly.com wants to remain busy this year and establish himself as someone that deserves a shot against the toughest competition possible.

“My record’s up to 14-5 and it would be nice to finish the year at 20-5,” he said. “Hopefully I can get to that next level.”

(Photo courtesy of Hood Revenue)

Be sure to Like MMAWeekly.com on Facebook and Follow @MMAWeeklycom on Twitter.