Kyle Daukaus says growing family brings added motivation in chase for another big-show invite
Reigning middleweight champ puts his title on the line against heavy-hitting Keanan Patershuk at CFFC 132.
Current CFFC middleweight champion Kyle Daukaus (14-4) is looking to defend his title against the hard-charging Keanan Patershuk (5-1) at CFFC 132, but "The D'Arce Knight" is doing so with a little added motivation. This past October, Daukaus and his wife Katharine welcomed Kai Alexander Daukuas into this world.
"With this fight, I mean, you know, I have a newborn son," Daukaus said. "He's eight months now, so that's always like a little extra motivation."
Daukaus returned to CFFC in 2023 following a seven-fight run with the UFC. He's been perfect since, re-claiming the belt he also wore before his UFC run and already registering a successful defense of that title. He'll look to defend a second time when he faces Patershuk in the main event of CFFC 132, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena on Friday, June 14.
Daukaus said a major focus in this training camp has been using all of his experience and knowledge gained thus far to ensure he's the best version of himself when he steps into the cage. Daukaus said as his career progresses, he's approached preparation more intelligently, and with a big focus on the use of recovery and following strict nutrition plans.
"I mean, about myself, just being smarter with training, just making sure that I'm getting the recovery that I need and making sure I'm getting the nutrition that I need and just being smart about everything," Daukaus said. "I'm 31 now, so I'm starting to feel kind of the old age a little bit in this sport, but just making sure that I'm being smarter nutritionally and training and recovery-wise, as well."
While Daukaus remains grateful for the opportunity of being CFFC's middleweight champion, he has made it clear that he is aiming to prove why he is the best regional fighter in the world currently and is deserving of another chance to compete in the sport's top international promotions.
"I'm undefeated regionally, and being the champ just kind of solidifies," Dauakus said. "Just making sure that I keep this belt on Friday and making sure that, and letting everybody know that, you know, I shouldn't be fighting regionally. I should be up in the UFC, PFL, Bellator."
Daukuas, a Philadelphia native, is always excited to perform in front of his hometown crowd. However, defending his title and executing to the best of his ability is vital.
"A lot of people that I know are coming to the fight, so it's always exciting to go out there and perform in front of my friends and family and whatnot," Daukaus said. "But again, you know, defending the belt obviously just shows that I'm the best guy on the East Coast right now."
On paper, it seems the key for Daukaus will be to avoid Patershuk's trademark power in the early going. If successful with that task, Daukaus may have a chance to break out his signature submission: the D'Arce choke.
With seven finishes via the maneuver in his professional MMA career, he's even taken on the moniker of "The D'Arce Knight" in his homage to his go-to finish and his favorite superhero.
"Kind of a submission that I've kind of done consistently throughout fights and have been successful with it along with training, as well, so it's something that's kind of like a 'no can defend' against me," Daukaus said. "If guys do defend against it, then eventually I will get them eventually in it. As far as 'The D'Arce Knight' whole nickname came about, I like Batman, big Batman fan. My buddy Jim told me to kind of go with that."
With a perfect 7-0 record across his two combined CFFC runs, there's plenty of tape on Daukaus to break down, but he believes there's one quality of his that stands above the rest – and with a newborn son at home providing him even more drive to chase his dreams, the champ is ready to display it all once again.
"Relentless," Daukaus said. "I think because I put a forward pressure, and I make sure that guys try to gas out. I do my best to press these guys and test their cardio and make sure that they break."
