Arlington, TX — Natan Schulte’s 2022 PFL campaign did not go according to plan.
A two-time Professional Fighters League champion in the lightweight division, in 2018 and 2019, Schulte was left out of the playoffs last year. The Brazilian lightweight went 1-1, with the win coming via split decision — meaning he didn’t have enough points to make the post-season.
“Last year was a little bad for me, but the same moment, I was happy, because I was champ. A lot of stuff in my life, my daughter was born in the last year,” Schulte (21-4-1) told media outlets including Cageside Press during the PFL 1 media day on Monday. “But this year I’m ready for fighting in the PFL again, to be a champion.”
It’s a fresh start in 2022, with the lightweights kicking off their season at PFL 1 this Wednesday. But asked about what went wrong last year, Schulte said simply that “I didn’t fight very well. Not 100%. Not like 2018, 2019. But this year, I’m very angry, for fighting. Like a shark on the ground. [I’m going to] finish my opponents.”
First up, Canada’s Olivier Aubin-Mercier. “Olivier is a great opponent, he’s very tough, but in my opinion, I can finish this fight,” Schulte stated.
In comparison to last year, he later added that “I improved my skills, and I’m a better fighter. My last fight was one year ago.” Since then, that anger the former champ spoke of repeatedly has Schulte ready to step back in the cage, “and finish somebody.”
Natan Schulte takes on Olivier Aubin-Mercier as part of this year’s PFL 1 card, going down Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
