Money Talks
Outside of winning a UFC championship belt, the most sought-after prize in the mixed martial arts world is surely the $1 million paycheck that comes hand-in-hand with winning the PFL global tournament. Six of those are up for grabs this Friday when the PFL World Championship goes down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and I caught up with former Bellator champion Brent Primus, who squares off against Gadzhi Rabadanov in the final of the lightweight tournament.
“It’s great” exclaimed an excited Primus. “In Bellator I didn’t get as many fights as I was wanting. I love this PFL platform, how we are guarenteed two fights right off the bat and then if you keep winning you keep fighting. This is my fourth fight…I love PFL, I love the platform, I love all the guys and I love the money! It’s great, especially that million dollars dangling in front of our heads at the end of this tournament so it’s great man, I’m really blessed, I’m grateful”.
From 2021 to 2023, Primus averaged just 1-2 fights per year under the Bellator banner, but having entered the global tounament following the PFL’s purchase of his former home, he is now preparing for his fourth bout in just seven months. Having turned 39 years old in April, it would be easy to assume that Primus might not be suited to a format such as this, but the Oregon native has always carried a repuation as one of the hardest workers in the sport, and insists he hasn’t had to adjust his training camps too much to handle the extra workload that 2024 has brought.
“I’m fighting four times in seven or eight months” he explained, “so I’ve had to train through a couple of small injuries here and there but I love staying busy, I love staying in the gym, I love the challenge and I feel great, I feel good. I’ve definitely had to watch my diet (over) the last seven months and I’ve had to miss out on some good meals and family events and stuff like that but I love it man. I love staying busy, I love the paychecks and taking care of my family. It’s gonna be awesome when I win that million dollars, it’s going to be big-time life-changing for me and my family”.
The Gentle Art
Primus is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous submission grapplers in MMA. He kicked off his professional career back in 2010 with four consecutive rear naked choke finishes and has competed extensively on the professional grappling circuit against stellar names such as Craig Jones and Jake Shields. Having wowed fans in recent years by pulling off some left-of-field finishes in the Bellator cage (his gogoplata victory over Tim Wilde being a particular highlight), Primus went back to his roots this year as he resorted to using the RNC to dispose of both Bruno Miranda and Solomon Renfro early in the tournament. A decision victory over Clay Collard back in August secured his spot on this week’s card and he insists his grappling skills will be key in his bid to beat Rabadonov on Friday.
“I’m a 3rd degree black belt” said Primus. “I feel so confident in my ground game and in my jiu jitsu. I feel like once I get to somebody’s back (then) they’re in my world and I can kind of take my time and look for that choke. I (have) a lot of submissions in my book and in my arsenal. I feel like I could submit these guys in such a variety of ways. The rear naked choke is definitely one of my favorite ones. I’m good at taking the back and holding onto the back so don’t be surprised if I get another one against Gadzhi”.
Rabadonov (23-4-2) is on a nine-fight winning streak and finished Michael Dufort to earn his spot in the final, but Primus is very confident in his ability to overcome the Russian once they meet inside the PFL smartcage.
“When it comes to Gadzhi, i know he’s a tough guy” he said. “He’s good on his feet, he’s good on the ground, he’s got good sambo and wrestling but I feel like we’re different when it comes to the ground game. I’m looking for the finish, I’m looking to pass and advance my position all the time. I feel like he’s more of a ‘take you down and control you/hold you down/win the round kind of guy’ so I feel like I’m definitely more dangerous on the ground for sure. Whether it’s on my back or if I’m on top. Wherever this fight goes I’m happy. Wherever this fight goes I’m going to be victorious for sure”.
