Los Angeles, CA — Former Bellator lightweight champ Brent Primus believes his return to the cage has been “way long overdue, for sure.”
Primus (10-1) returns Saturday at Bellator 263, but last competed at Bellator 240 in February 2020.
The 35-year old broke down his absence as being due to “cancellations” and “COVID,” he revealed during the Bellator 263 media day this week. “I fought in Ireland in February, and I asked to fight as soon as possible.” After training his butt off and losing 30lbs, said Primus, the fight was cancelled due to COVID. “Thankfully, here we are, fight week, and I fight in a few days.”
“Activity is definitely a big thing. I want to stay active,” Primus added. After his upcoming fight against Islam Mamedov, “I’m going to call out Patricio [Freire, Bellator featherweight/lightweight champion]. If I don’t fight him, I want a top 5. I want Patricio, that’s the guy I want. He’s got my belt, so that’s the plan.”
Due to his time off, Primus was not ranked in Bellator’s official rankings when they debuted this Spring. He also says he was promised a top 10 opponent, and he’s not happy that it didn’t happen. “Hell no. I was not okay with this. No. I was told that if I signed a new contract with Bellator, that I’d be fighting a top 10. And here we are not fighting a top 10.” Islam Mamedov is “a tough dude,” admitted Primus, “and he probably should be in the top 10.” But despite that, the former champ feels like he should have fought someone in Bellator before getting Primus himself. “It’s just frustrating that I have to google these guys who I’m fighting. I should be fighting somebody I know that’s fought in Bellator that’s in the top 10.”
While there have been a few fighters looking to tango with Primus, “I was calling out any top 5 guy. I asked Bellator to set me up with Patricky, after he lost to Queally, I called my manager right away, I was like ‘man, I want to fight that Queally guy,’ and it didn’t happen, which is a big bummer.” Bellator replied that those fights didn’t make sense, and instead pushed for the Mamedov match-up. “It is what it is, man.” Primus says that plan is to make a statement on Saturday. “I’m going to finish this dude, and I’m going to call out Patricio.”
Watch the full Bellator 263 media day press scrum with Brent Primus above. The event takes place this Saturday, July 31 at The Forum in Los Angeles. The main card airs on Showtime following online prelims right here on Cageside Press.
