It’s his eighth career fight. His first title fight. He hasn’t fought in more than a year. His opponent is Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.
You could be forgiven for not believing in Brent Primus’ chances at Bellator NYC this weekend. But what you, or anyone else thinks, doesn’t matter. According to Primus, he’s never been more ready in his life for an opportunity like the one he’s getting Saturday night. He’s had a great camp, and despite making his return to the cage after what will amount to a more than 14-month layoff, his cardio is better than it has ever been.
“I feel so blessed to be on this card. People train their whole lives and don’t get this opportunity, so I’m truly blessed,” Primus said. “I’m the underdog, and I like being the underdog. I’m just living it up, and I can’t wait to go in and shock everybody and show everybody why I’m here.”
And shocking everybody is exactly what Primus plans on doing.
“I’m going to shock everybody, because everybody thinks Chandler is going to walk right through me. That’s not the case. That’s not going to happen. I’m going out there to bring it to Chandler and show everybody why I’m here.”
Shocking people isn’t anything new for Primus, who walked away from his own landscaping business in his 20s in order to pursue a career in MMA. He’s now 7-0 as a pro, and 5-0 since joining Bellator in 2013. The 32-year-old Eugene, Oregon, native has undoubtedly proven that he’s made the right choice, and admits that fighting for the Bellator lightweight title beats waking up early to cut grass. Especially when that title bout is taking place at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s a dream come true to fight in Madison Square Garden,” Primus said. “Not only that, but I’m fighting on the same card as a bunch of legends that I’ve looked up to for a long time. A dream come true, for sure.”
While a dream come true, there have been some aspects of being a title-contender that Brent Primus has had to get used to. Namely: the media. Although it was weird at first, doing multiple interviews each day, the nerves have since passed and it’s become just another part of the job, Primus said.
The adjustment to the media for the small-town Northwest native is understandable, considering where he came from.
“It’s crazy to think I’m coming from Eugene, this little teeny town,” Primus said. “When I was starting out fighting I was fighting in fairgrounds, and now I’m fighting at Madison Square Garden.”
The Northwest is home to, and produces a lot of, talented MMA prospects, and according to Primus, it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The MMA and jiu-jitsu scenes in Oregon and the Northwest are blowing up, with more and more fighters, promotions, and tournaments, and he’s enjoying watching the sport grow in the region, Primus said.
When he faces Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler on Saturday night and realizes his dream, Brent Primus plans on winning. Although many may not agree, and would likely be shocked by such a result, we know one person that won’t be.
