Marco De Luca

“I may fight in the octagon, but I'm not afraid to fight for my right to love who I want.”

Born and raised in Lisbon, Marco always knew he was different from other boys. With a love for combat sports and a fascination for the male form, he discovered MMA at age 18 and quickly became one of the top fighters in the city. But he faced adversity when he came out as gay to his family, who didn't understand his lifestyle. Despite this, Marco remains confident and determined to live his life on his own terms. He is currently training for his next fight and exploring the Lisbon gay scene with his boyfriend.

What advice do you have for other LGBTQ+ individuals in combat sports?

Keep pushing forward and stay true to yourself. You'll meet a lot of resistance and judgment, but remember that you deserve to take up space and follow your dreams just like anyone else.

What's something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I have a soft spot for romantic comedies. There's something about the hilarity and raw emotions that really resonates with me.