Brent Primus focused on Chris Bungard at Bellator 240 but eyeing title shot

Like many fighters it seems lightweight Brent Primus can never seem to get in as many fights over the course of a year as he would like.

Initially hoping to fight multiple times in 2019, Primus only managed one bout, but with a win in his fight versus Tim Wilde at Bellator: Birmingham last May, the year was nonetheless successful. He's getting an early start on 2020 with his first bout of the year being this weekend in Dublin.

“I was expecting to get at least two fights in (during 2019), but it didn’t happen,” Primus told MMAWeekly.com. “We still had one, but I’m trying to stay more active. I’m asking to have three fights this year; that’s the goal.

“I just knew that my ground game was way better than (Wilde’s), and once I got him down I was going to catch him. It went a little bit faster than I thought it was going to, but it was good. I feel like my stand-up and my ground game is better than it has ever been, so I’m ready and confident.”

Having had such a long layoff since his win over Wilde, Primus has stayed busy in the gym, because as he puts it, it’s an absolute necessity.

“I’ve got to stay consistent and go to the gym at least once a day, even if I’m not fighting,” said Primus. “I was always in the gym, maybe not training and sparring really hard, but always doing techniques and learning.

“I’m so competitive and I hate thinking about losing. It makes me train hard. I really hate losing at no matter what it could be, and I always give my all in everything I do, so in MMA I put everything I have in this and I’m training myself up every day so I don’t get killed in the cage.”

On February 22 in Dublin, Ireland, Primus (9-1) will look to pick up his second straight win when he faces Chris Bungard (15-5) in the 155-pound main event of Bellator 240: Dublin.

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“I’ve just got to be focused and play my game plan and fight how I fight,” Primus said. “I know (Bungard is) a tough guy. He’s not the most technical guy, I feel. On the stand-up he can be a little wild, and those guys can be dangerous, but I know if I go out there and fight to my full potential he will not last.”

Having held the Bellator lightweight title for a year and a half previously, Primus would like to regain the title and then face a couple of potential challengers afterwards.

“I want that (title) fight,” said Primus. “I want that belt. I know I beat Patricio (Pitbull). I know he’s tough, he’s a good champion, but I know that I can beat him. I want that belt; whoever has it they’re my target.

“Once I get that title shot I’ll be able to fight Chandler or Benson Henderson or one of those guys, but first of all it’s the belt, second I want Benson or Chandler for sure.”