Las Vegas, NV — Lightweight Natan Schulte, who has twice won the million dollar prize by capturing the PFL’s 155lb title in 2018 and 2019, returns this year for another season, kicking things off against Stevie Ray on August 14.
Things didn’t go as planned for Schulte (23-5-1) last season, but he’s taking that all in stride.
“The last season was good, no? I lost the first fight against Olivier [Aubin-Mercier], split decision. I think I won that fight, but this is in the past,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday’s media day in Las Vegas. “Now I just, my focus is just for this season. But the last season was good.”
The PFL’s season format offers a structure like no other; champions start back in the mix the following season, earning their way to another title shot.
“If you were the champ, you’re not champion, but you need to defend your title. Because you’re the last champion,” observed Schulte. Yet despite needing to defend the title in a sense — simply to win your way back to a shot at the finals — “It doesn’t matter, this is a normal fight. This is a little bit tough, you know?”
Despite the difficulty in starting over each yeah season in the PFL, Schulte is a fan of the format. “I like it, I like it. Because this is not about the trash talk, you talk a lot, you go to the title. This is great, because you can just fight, not say nothing, and go to the championship.”
All that being said, Schulte told Cageside Press on Wednesday that he does indeed miss being champ, and the championship fights.
“Yes. I acclimated to fighting five rounds. I’m better in five rounds. It’s a little bit sad for me, I was sad last season because I was fighting in the final, but not for the title. But this year I can change it.”
Watch the full 2023 PFL 3 media day appearance by Natan Schulte above. The event takes place on Friday, April 14, 2023 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.
