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Interview with Dustin Barca |
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Local MMA News
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By Robert Fain
 A popular trend amongst professional athletes is making the jump to mixed martial arts. On May 20th, at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Kauai’s very own Dustin Barca will make the move from professional surfing to MMA.
I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Barca and get his thoughts towards his upcoming fight and his future as both a pro surfer and mixed martial artist.
MMAHAWAII: Thank you Dustin for sitting down with us just a week before your MMA debut. For people who are not familiar with your background, where are you from and how long have you been a professional surfer?
I’m from Kilauea, Kaua’i and I’ve been a professional surfer for 10 years.
MMAHAWAII: When did you first get into training martial arts?
I got in to Jiu Jitsu a little when I was 14 and always was a fan of martial arts from a young age. My dad was a Karate teacher when I was young, so I was always around martial arts.
MMAHAWAII: What made you decide to make the transition from Jiu Jitsu to Muay Thai, and eventually mixed martial arts?
After training Jiu Jitsu for about 4 years, I started learning Muay Thai from Haru Shimanishi of HMC who lived with one of my best friends. I always wanted to get into MMA since I first saw it; it was a secret dream for a long time.
MMAHAWAII: Tell us how this opportunity to fight in Kaua’i Knockout Championships formulated, and how long do you see yourself competing in MMA for?
They approached me and my coach and asked if we had any fighters, and if I was ready. I don’t have a time limit on competing in MMA.
MMAHAWAII: Do you believe that your skills and experience as a surfer will prove to be an advantage in the cage?
Maybe, [surfing] gives you good coordination. I'm a competitor no matter what I'm doing-- I want to win!
MMAHAWAII: Going into this fight against Micah Ige, who sports a 4-6 record, people might consider you a heavy underdog given that this is your first fight. Do you feel more or less pressure going into competition labeled as the underdog?
I like being the underdog. I just want to compete and see where I’m at.
MMAHAWAII: The Boar’s Nest is known for their relentless training regimen and aggressive style of fighting. What does being a mixed martial artist mean to you, and what do you get out of fighting that you don’t get from surfing?
We definitely train hard. Just being any kind of martial artist means you should carry yourself respectfully because you’re representing a lot of dedication and history. What I get out of fighting that’s not in surfing is that it’s all up to you.
MMAHAWAII: What are some of your goals and aspirations in being a professional fighter, and do you plan on still competing on the WQS and surfing professionally?
Take it one fight at a time. I’d like to see how good and how far I can really get at this though. I’m done surfing competitively for now.
MMAHAWAII: Who is your biggest influence in the sport of MMA, and why?
My biggest influence has always been Anderson Silva and BJ Penn because they’re the baddest and classiest.
MMAHAWAII: Perfect 10-foot Chope’s barrel or 1st round knockout?
It’s a similar feeling, but mother nature is the ultimate challenge.
MMA HAWAII: Is there anything else you’d like to add, or anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank all the coaches who have helped me especially Tim Smythe, Bruno Ewald at LongMan Jiu Jitsu, Jared Espina, Rob Hesia, Brandon Wolff, and all the Boars Nest bangers. I appreciate all who have given there time to me! And my family for putting up with my S---! ALOHA
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