The Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) makes its return to UFC Fight Pass on Wednesday evening, headlined by a showdown for the vacant flyweight championship.
Montreal-based Tristar MMA athlete and ex–Canadian national wrestler James Mancini (6-4) steps into the octagon against New Jersey's emerging talent Santo Curatolo (4-0), with both competitors eyeing their maiden pro title shot.
Thirty-five-year-old Mancini fully recognizes his rival's explosive pace and insists he won't allow Curatolo's opening streak to rattle his mental preparation ahead of their Wednesday clash.
"You truly can't claim to know what fighting is like until you've faced real adversity and survived three brutal rounds," Mancini told MMA Empire.
"Having never experienced that kind of grind, I'm genuinely unbothered by early knockouts. I'm expecting things to ignite right from the opening bell, and that's absolutely fine with me—I'm always prepared to throw down."
Curatolo fast and confident
Making his way up the ranks with four straight professional victories, each one ending in a first-round stoppage, 25-year-old Curatolo has been steadily building his reputation.
Known for his lightning-fast hands and precise combinations, Curatolo has a knack for overloading his adversaries—though he wouldn't rank that quickness as his top strength.
"I honestly never knew I was this quick. Everyone around me keeps pointing it out," Curatolo shared during his conversation with MMA Empire.
"Maybe I'm quicker than I give myself credit for, but what I believe truly sets me apart is my mental approach. Yes, I'm self-assured, yet I strive to stay grounded. I'm constantly hungry to learn more and approach the sport as though I'm starting fresh on a white belt. Plenty of fighters walking in here thinking they're already untouchable."
In recent years, Mancini—an elite grappler—has dedicated himself to expanding his overall skill set.
He insists he's perfectly comfortable keeping the contest upright and feels completely at ease on his back, confident in his ability to secure a victory from any position.
"Naturally, folks are going to zero in on my wrestling background and analyze how my previous bouts unfolded. I'm totally fine with that—I've evolved into a well-rounded fighter now," Mancini stated.
"If someone decides to overlook my stand-up game, I welcome them to step in and prove me wrong. Bring whatever approach you think will work."
Self-belief plays a massive role in combat sports, and Curatolo says he's brimming with confidence as he approaches fight night.
The New Jersey fighter knows he's put in the necessary preparation and feels completely at ease about facing Mancini's ground-based threat and submission arsenal.
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