CFFC middleweight champ Kyle Daukaus aiming for UFC return, has different plan for second run
"The D'Arce Knight" puts his title on the line at Friday's CFFC 129, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Kyle Daukaus is appreciative of the opportunities CFFC officials have given him both before and after a seven-fight run in the UFC. That said, the reigning CFFC middleweight champion is anxious to leave the promotion again as quickly as possible.
It's Daukaus' second run as champion, with his first reign earning him an invitation to the sport's biggest promotion. Now he's hoping to repeat the feat in his second stint atop the 185-pound division.
"I think it just shows that I'm leaps and bounds above the regional scene," Daukaus said. "You know, I'm undefeated in the regional scene. I'm undefeated amongst regional fighters. The only fighters I've lost to are the top guys in the UFC right now, and yeah, I think it just shows that I don't really deserve to be in the regional scene, and I just have to go out there and just keep proving it."
Indeed, Daukaus' four career losses all came during his time in the UFC, coming up short against middleweight notables Brendan Allen, Eryk Anders, Roman Dolidze and Phil Hawes. It was stern tests from the start for Daukaus, and he admits that at the time, he wouldn't have had it any other way.
"That was what I wanted, in reality," Daukaus said. "When I was younger and got signed at a younger age, I was like, 'I'm going to try to make a run for it as quick as I can,' and, it was something that, you know, wasn't smart, something I learned from, something that I won't do again if I get signed. I want to just kind of take it slow, kind of fly under the radar, make sure I get my experience and just keep building my record up, and then eventually I'll get up to the title.
"I just learned that, you know, being young and eager and thinking your ego is the best, it's not always the best thing for you."
With a better understanding of the sport and the business, Daukaus believes he's primed to make an impact at MMA's highest level once he reaches it again. First things first, though – Daukaus (13-4) puts his belt on the line against Sean Fallon (17-8), a 25-fight veteran who also is hoping for a shot at the big show after a brief stop in Bellator in 2022.
Daukaus admits he doesn't have extensive knowledge on the Indiana-based challenger, but points to a recent first-round submission of former CFFC middleweight champion Collin Huckbody as reason to give him ample respect.
"To be honest, I don't really know a ton about him," Daukaus said. "He's got a very good record of being 17-8, I believe, and for somebody that has such a good record, I didn't really know much about him. I know he trains with Corey Anderson. I've trained with Corey before, so Corey kind of messaged me and was like, 'Yo, dude. I'm going to be in this corner, just letting you know,' and I was like, 'Yeah, it's cool.'
"It's business. It's fighting. It's bound to happen eventually, but I mean, he's a really good fighter. He's a good jiu-jitsu guy. I know for a fact that he is very jiu-jitsu based. He's very simplistic in standing, but yeah, he beat Huckbody his last fight, so I think that kind of speaks a little bit of volume for him, especially finishing so quick. I'm excited for the matchup."
Known as "The D'Arce Knight," Daukaus has 10 submissions among his 13 career wins. Meanwhile, Fallon has earned 11 victories via tapout among the 17 times he's had his hand raised. That might suggest a grappling battle for the belt, but Daukaus isn't so sure. Still, he believes he's capable of winning the fight regardless of what style is on display.
"I think the jiu-jitsu might cancel itself out," Daukaus said. "I know he's very good on bottom. He likes to play bottom very well. I like to play top very well, obviously. I'm not a huge fan of being on the bottom – during MMA fights, at least – but I think that if the jiu-jitsu does cancel itself out, that I have a superior advantage in the striking and the standup and the clinch and, you know, I have to go out there and just show it.
"As long as I'm on my best, mentally and physically, and I'm ready to go, then I don't think anybody's gonna be able to beat me on February 9."
Daukaus most recently claimed the CFFC middleweight title with an impressive decision win over then-champ Gregg Ellis and now seeks the first defense of that belt. Two defenses was enough to get him a UFC call during his first title reign, and an impressive victory would prove a huge help in repeating that journey.
Victory is important, of course, but Daukaus wants much more than that. He's out to prove that as much as he enjoys competing for CFFC, it's not where he ultimately belongs.
"Ideally I could just get a finish and then just prove that I don't really deserve to be in the regional scene anymore, but I mean, you know, as long as I win, I'm sure better things will happen afterwards," Daukaus said. "I'm always looking for the finish when I fight. I'm always trying to get out of there as quick as I can. I'm not trying to go five rounds or go four rounds at all, like I did last fight. So, yeah, just get in there, get my work done and get my check at the end of the night, and then hopefully bigger things to come at the end."
