The Nova Scotia native, Luc De Ste Croix (3-0), carries an unblemished amateur record into Saturday's card at FLA 5, where he will face Josh LeBlanc (2-1) in an amateur lightweight matchup as he continues to sharpen his craft.
The 23-year-old enters this bout fresh off a decisive submission victory over now-pro Jesse Heartz at FLA 3. Returning under the Fight League Atlantic banner, De Ste Croix acknowledges LeBlanc's abilities but remains convinced he holds an edge across every dimension of the sport.
"Josh LeBlanc is a great fighter," De Ste Croix told MMA Empire.
"I've seen him fight a few times now, he is very game. I'm just better. I'm going to prove that I am better in every aspect. I've put in the work, man. This fight feels like it is years in the making, years of work for me."
With fight night drawing near, De Ste Croix says his mindset remains steady and grounded in the days before stepping into the cage.
"It feels the same as always," De Ste Croix stated.
"It is always sort of a roller coaster ride. The worst part is waiting for the actual fight. Once you make that walk, the feelings all come back, how surreal it all is to be doing this."
When pressed on whether the spotlight of youth and professional ambitions creates pressure, De Ste Croix insists there's no urgency to make the jump to the pro ranks—he'd rather pad his amateur resume first.
He credits his head coach, Scott Maclean, for keeping his long-term development at the forefront.
"The pro game isn't very far away for me," De Ste Croix said.
"I want to collect some amateur belts first, a few of them. I am not looking for a 10-fight amateur career but do feel these fights are important for my career. I talk about it with my coach, I'm kind of like his science project, he is the evil genius. When it comes to coaching, everyone wants the shiny new toy, I'll take [Scott's] old man boxing coach feel all day. I hope he takes that the right way."
Though word of his name is spreading across the regional circuit, De Ste Croix says the hype doesn't distract him from the core reason he competes.
"Always a little pressure, but good pressure, anxious pressure," De Ste Croix stated.
"In the cage, nothing but fighting matters. That and getting my hand raised. Whether it is a finish, decision, submission, that is what I'm doing this weekend."
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