Brent Primus is the current Bellator Lightweight Champion, but it didn't come without controversy.
Former Champion Mike Chandler lost the title at June's Bellator NYC show after injuring his foot, which prompted many to expect an immediate rematch. When Primus spoke to Fightful.com's James Lynch recently, he said he expected that as well, but it hasn't panned out yet.
"Before I fought Michael Chandler I told my manager and Bellator I wanted to take a month off and be with my wife when she has our baby... a week or two after we fought I got a call and they asked if I wanted a rematch in October-ish. I told them I'm 100 percent down for a rematch, but I want to spend a month with my wife and my baby," said Primus.
According to the Champion, he told Bellator he'd be open to December and was told that was the time frame they'd pursue. Instead, weeks later, Primus' manager told him he'd be competing on January 26, which Primus agreed to. A week later, Primus hadn't received a contract. The events that unfolded after left Primus confused to this day.
"(My manager) called and said Chandler completely declined the rematch and wants to fight at 170 in the same month. I thought that was so weird. I was in shock. I was already game planning for our rematch and find out he's fighting at 155 (again) in January. What was even crazier is he did an interview and told everyone that I'm running from him. Everybody's believing him," said Primus.
Chandler will take on Goiti Yamauchi in January, but Primus is still angling for a fight with Chandler to eliminate any doubt. Primus said that he's open to fighting who Bellator places against him, but thinks that Chandler is fearful that he could cost himself a UFC opportunity.
"That's the only thing I can think of. He literally could have fought me for the belt instead of somebody else. He might not be scared of me, but he might be scared of the outcome of the fight. If he takes another loss to me, it's going to be really hard for him to get another title shot. He's at the end of his contract, he has one more fight. They don't want to do a Will Brooks thing and have him maybe win a fight and then go to the UFC. I was wanting that rematch and had an awesome game plan for sure," said Primus.
In the full interview, Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus (8-0) explains why he's not fighting Michael Chandler next. Brent also explains why he didn't want to fight Chandler in October, the injury he suffered prior to Bellator NYC and how a potential matchup against Patricky Pitbull would play out.
