Bellator MMA News & FeaturesDespite winning eight of nine fights in Bellator MMA, and formerly being their lightweight champion, Brent Primus has not been nearly as active as he wants. Having fought just once a year for the promotion since 2014, it has gotten to a point where he wonders if the organization has some sort of unspoken dislike for him. This leads the 35-year-old to admit that asking for a release from his long-time home has crossed his mind in recent days.
“I fought one time this year and I went through three training camps. All the way up to a week out from when I was supposed to fight. That really sucks. I spent so much money on conditioning and driving up to Portland four or five times a week. The COVID [related cancellation], there’s nothing they can do about that. Which I understand. I was supposed to fight [Goiti] Yamauchi and I trained my butt off for that fight. [Then] my manager called me and said, ‘hey, Bellator just called and they asked if you want to fight Dec. 10?’ And I was like, alright let’s do it. It’s six weeks out, my weight’s not too heavy, I need the money, let’s do this. I was put through hell for six weeks. I lost 28 pounds. I was ready to cut my weight; I don’t know what happened and this has happened multiple times. It’s definitely crossed my mind,” Primus told Sherdog when asked if he might ask for his release. “It’s hard. I need at least two fights a year. I like Bellator but I definitely need more fights. I just feel like I should have a lot more fights and I’m wasting the most valuable time of my career right now.”
Along with detailing his frustrations with his employer, the Oregon native also spoke in-depth about competing against superstar grappler Craig Jones at Submission Underground 19 on Dec. 20 and how he came into the match with a badly injured rib. He also says he tore a muscle from his collarbone during the bout.
