Natan Schulte has gone from underdog to favorite in the PFL’s lightweight tournament, and is embracing the Brazilian Rocky label in the process.
Uniondale, NY — Heading into the Professional Fighters League’s inaugural season, no one was really talking about Brazilian lightweight Natan Schulte. Coming out of the second set of fights in the 155lb division, that’s anything but the case. Schulte is well ahead of his fellow lightweights, with nine points (Will Brooks, meanwhile, sits second with six). There’s still a few fighters set to compete towards the end of the regular season, but Natan has clinched a playoff spot, and was in great spirits backstage at PFL 5 following a quick submission of Jason High in the main event of the evening.
That High was a former training partner and friend was the only downside to an impressive first round rear-naked choke. High went out in the submission, and Schulte picked up six points in the standings for his efforts. Now, he’s gone from unknown underdog to favorite as the post-season looms.
On the win, Natan Schulte told reporters via translator that he’s “very very proud of myself for finishing this fight with a submission. But just a little bit sad because Jason High is a dear friend of mine. We’ve trained a lot together.” So while Schulte would rather the win not come at the expense of a friend, “it is what it is.”
After Schulte’s first win over Chris Wade, he began seeing a little more attention in the tournament. “Absolutely, it changed a lot after the Wade win.” Yet he has “no issue with being overlooked,” and appreciates that lightweight is a big weight class.
“I believe a lot in my style and my game plan with my coaches,” Schulte answered when asked about the difference between being an underdog, and moving forward as a favorite. “At the end of the day, my preparation is going to be the same, regardless if people are overlooking me, or paying a lot of attention.”
Schulute’s previous opponent, Chris Wade, had labelled him the Brazilian Rocky — and when that was brought to Schulte’s attention he broke out in a smile. “I like it. The Brazilian MMA’s Rocky Balboa. Sounds good to me.”
Watch the full PFL 5 post-fight press scrum with Natan Schulte above.
