Brent Primus

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Brent Primus
Born (1985-04-12) April 12, 1985 (age 40)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] under Fabiano Scherner
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins16
By knockout2
By submission9
By decision5
Losses4
By knockout2
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Brent Primus (born April 12, 1985) is an American

Bellator Lightweight World Champion.[3]

Background

Born and raised in

soccer and helped the team tie South Eugene High School for the co-state title. He later began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning his black belt in only six years.[4]

Primus had a tumultuous childhood and teenage years, having never seen his real father outside of a prison, except for catching him on an episode of “Cops” once as a child. At the age of 13, he found himself homeless after being kicked out of the house by his step father. After this, he bounced around from home to home until he began selling pounds of weed to finance himself. At 15, Primus had his own house from these proceeds. At age 16, his home was raided by rival gangsters, with Primus held up at gunpoint. At 18, his home was raided by police and Primus was sent to jail. During this time, Primus was partying and finding himself in fights on a weekly basis, leading to one of Primus’ friends to sign him up for an amateur fight, which lead him onto his career in MMA.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Primus compiled an amateur record of 5-1 before making his professional debut in September 2010, defeating Chris Ensley via first-round submission. In his second pro bout, Primus defeated Roy Bradshaw via submission in the first round on May 12, 2012.

Bellator MMA

Primus signed with Bellator in 2013. He made his debut for the organization on September 27, 2013, at

Bellator 101 against Scott Thometz. Primus won via rear-naked choke submission at 3:48 in the first round, improving his record to 3–0.[6]

Primus had his second bout with the organization on November 22, 2013, at

Bellator 109. He defeated Brett Glass by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[7]

In his next bout, Primus faced Chris Jones at

Bellator 111 on March 7, 2014. Primus won via TKO in the first round, which marked the first time Primus had finished an opponent that was not by rear-naked choke.[8]

After nearly a year-and-a-half away from the sport, Primus returned to face

Bellator 141
on August 28, 2015. He won the fight by split decision.

Primus next faced Gleristone Santos at

Bellator 153
on April 22, 2016. He won the fight by split decision.

Bellator Lightweight World Champion

With an undefeated streak of five wins in Bellator, Primus faced Bellator Lightweight champion

Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. At 2:22 in the first round, the bout was temporarily halted by the referee to check on Chandler, whose left ankle was visibly injured. The bout was stopped in favor of Primus via TKO, awarding him the Bellator Lightweight World Championship and pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Bellator history.[9][10]

Primus was expected to make his first title defense against Chandler in a rematch at

Bellator 197 on April 13, 2018. However, he pulled out of the fight due to a knee injury. As a result, Brandon Girtz stepped in as a replacement.[11]

The rematch between Primus and Chandler finally took place in the main event of

Bellator 212 on December 14, 2018.[12] Primus was out-wrestled for the better part of the fight, and despite landing similar leg kicks to those that stopped Chandler in their first fight and dropping Chandler with a punch in the second round, Primus was defeated by Chandler via unanimous decision.[13]

Post-title era

As the first fight after losing his title, Primus faced Tim Wilde at

Bellator: Birmingham on May 4, 2019. He won the fight via gogoplata
in the first round.

Primus was expected to face Peter Queally at

Bellator 240 on February 22, 2020.[14] However, Queally was forced to withdraw from the bout due to knee injury and was subsequently replaced by Chris Bungard.[15]
Primus won the bout via neck-crank submission in the 1st round.

On April 17, 2021, Primus announced signing a new 6-fight contract.[16]

Primus faced Islam Mamedov on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263.[17] He lost the bout via split decision.[18]

Primus faced Benson Henderson on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Primus faced Alexandr Shabliy at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022.[21] He lost the bout via TKO in the second round.[22][23]

Lightweight Grand Prix

After an original contestant of the $1 million Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix, Sidney Outlaw, was suspended for a positive drug test, Primus replaced him for the quarter-final bout against Mansour Barnaoui on May 12, 2023, at Bellator 296.[24] Primus won the back-and-forth bout by unanimous decision.[25]

In the semifinals, Primus faced reigning champion Usman Nurmagomedov on 7 October 2023, at Bellator 300.[26] He originally lost the fight by unanimous decision but that result was overturned by CSAC when Nurmagomedov tested positive for prescription drug that contained a banned substance.[27][28]

Professional Fighters League

Primus started the 2024 season with a bout against Bruno Miranda on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2.[29] He won the fight due to a rear-naked choke submission.[30]

Primus next faced Solomon Renfro at PFL 5 on June 21, 2024[31] Renfro would miss the Lightweight limit weighing in at 157.4 pounds. [32] Primus would win the fight via submission in the third round and thus secure himself the top seed for the playoff section of the PFL Lightweight tournament.[33]

Primus faced Clay Collard in the semifinals of the 2024 Lightweight tournament on August 16, 2024 at PFL 8.[34] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[35]

In the final, Primus faced Gadzhi Rabadanov on November 29, 2024, at PFL 10.[36] He lost the fight by knockout in the third round.[37]

On February 26, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Primus will join the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament.[38]

In the quarterfinal, Primus was scheduled to face Alexandr Shabliy on April 18, 2025, at PFL 3.[39] However, Shabliy withdrew from the tournament due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Vinicius Sacchelli Cenci.[40] Primus won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[41]

Championships and awards

  • Bellator MMA
    • Bellator Lightweight World Championship
      (One time)
  • MMAJunkie.com
    • 2019 May Submission of the Month vs. Tim Wilde[42]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
21 matches 16 wins 4 losses
By knockout 2 2
By submission 9 0
By decision 5 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–4 (1) Vinicius Sacchelli Cenci Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 3 (2025) April 18, 2025 3 4:52 Orlando, Florida, United States 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 15–4 (1) Gadzhi Rabadanov KO (punches) PFL 10 (2024) November 29, 2024 3 2:31 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2024 PFL Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win 15–3 (1) Clay Collard Decision (unanimous) PFL 8 (2024) August 16, 2024 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States 2024 PFL Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 14–3 (1) Solomon Renfro Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 5 (2024) June 21, 2024 3 3:21
Salt Lake City, Utah
, United States 		Catchweight (156.4 lb) bout; Renfro missed weight.
Win 13–3 (1) Bruno Miranda Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 2 (2024) April 12, 2024 2 1:49
Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
NC 12–3 (1) Usman Nurmagomedov NC (overturned) Bellator 300 October 7, 2023 5 5:00
San Diego, California
, United States
Bellator Lightweight World Championship
. Originally a unanimous decision win for Nurmagomedov; overturned after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Win 12–3 Mansour Barnaoui Decision (unanimous) Bellator 296 May 12, 2023 5 5:00 Paris, France Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Loss 11–3 Alexandr Shabliy TKO (punches) Bellator 282 June 24, 2022 2 1:22 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 11–2 Benson Henderson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 268 October 16, 2021 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 10–2 Islam Mamedov Decision (split) Bellator 263 July 31, 2021 3 5:00
Los Angeles, California
, United States
Win 10–1 Chris Bungard Submission (neck crank)
Bellator 240
 February 22, 2020 1 1:55 Dublin, Ireland
Win 9–1 Tim Wilde Submission (gogoplata)
Bellator Birmingham
 May 4, 2019 1 1:20 Birmingham, England
Loss 8–1 Michael Chandler Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 212
 December 14, 2018 5 5:00
Honolulu, Hawaii
, United States 		Lost the
Bellator Lightweight World Championship
.
Win 8–0 Michael Chandler TKO (doctor stoppage)
Bellator NYC
 June 24, 2017 1 2:22
New York City, New York
, United States 		Won the
Bellator Lightweight World Championship
.
Win 7–0 Gleristone Santos Decision (split)
Bellator 153
 April 22, 2016 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 6–0 Derek Anderson Decision (split)
Bellator 141
 August 28, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 5–0 Chris Jones TKO (punches)
Bellator 111
 March 7, 2014 1 1:45 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–0 Brett Glass Submission (rear-naked choke)
Bellator 109
 November 22, 2013 1 3:20 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 3–0 Scott Thometz Submission (rear-naked choke)
Bellator 101
 September 27, 2013 1 3:48 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 2–0 Roy Bradshaw Submission (rear-naked choke) Midtown Throwdown 4 May 12, 2012 1 1:42 Eugene, Oregon, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 1–0 Chris Ensley Submission (rear-naked choke) Brass Knuckle Promotions: Springfield Throwdown 1 September 24, 2010 1 1:05 Springfield, Oregon, United States Welterweight debut.

Submission grappling record

? Matches, ? Wins (? Submissions), ? Losses (? Submissions), 0 Draws
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Date Location
Loss 3–5–0 United States Craig Jones Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Submission Underground 19 December 20, 2020 Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Win 3–4–0 United States Jake Shields Submission (armbar) Submission Underground 14 May 31, 2020 Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Loss 2–4–0 United States Gabriel Rollo Points Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2013 May 23, 2013
Loss 2–3–0 United States Bernardo Faria Armlock Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2013 May 23, 2013
Win 2–2–0 United States Oliver Geddes - Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2013 May 23, 2013
Loss 1–2–0 United States Otavio Sousa - Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2012 May 30, 2012
Loss 1–1–0 United States Murilo Santana Points Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2012 May 30, 2012
Win 1–0–0 United States Chris Atkins Choke Pan Am Jiu Jitsu 2012 May 30, 2012

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Guilherme Cruz (June 22, 2017). "Brent Primus: I've fought Michael Chandler 'a thousand times already in my head'". mmafighting.com.
  2. ^ Jason Floyd (September 25, 2013). "Bellator 101's Brent Primus planning to win Bellator debut by knockout". themmareport.com.
  3. ^ "Brent Primus". bellator.com.
  4. ^ "The Beaten Path: Prospect Brent Primus Traded His Own Business for MMA Gloves". Bleacher Report.
  5. ^ "Brent Primus goes off on Bellator matchmaking: 'I'm pissed off'". FanSided. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  6. ^ "Brent Primus vs. Scott Thometz". sherdog.com. September 27, 2013.
  7. ^ "Brent Primus vs. Brett Glass". sherdog.com. November 22, 2013.
  8. ^ "Brent Primus vs. Chris Jones". sherdog.com. March 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Steven Marrocco (June 24, 2017). "Bellator NYC results: Brent Primus wins lightweight title with injury TKO over Michael Chandler". mmajunkie.com.
  10. ^ "Biggest Oddsmaker Upsets in Bellator". tapology.com.
  11. ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (March 21, 2018). "Brent Primus releases statement about withdrawal from Michael Chandler rematch". mmafighting.com.
  12. ^ John Morgan (October 11, 2018). "Brent Primus vs. Michael Chandler rematch headlines new Bellator 'Salute the Troops' event in Hawaii". mmajunkie.com.
  13. ^ "Bellator 212 results: Primus vs Chandler 2". mmafighting.com. December 15, 2018.
  14. ^ Peter Carroll (December 11, 2019). "Brent Primus vs. Peter Queally set for Bellator Dublin co-main event". mmafighting.com.
  15. ^ Peter Carroll (January 30, 2020). "Peter Queally out of Bellator Dublin, Chris Bungard steps in to face Brent Primus". mmafighting.com.
  16. ^ "Brent Primus on Instagram". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2021-11-04. I'll be making at least 6 more of these walks...
  17. ^ "Bellator 263 adds three fights including Brent Primus vs. Islam Mamedov, loses ranked bantamweight bout". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  18. ^ "Bellator 263 results: Islam Mamedov grinds out split decision over Brent Primus to win debut". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  19. ^ "Benson Henderson, Brent Primus set to face off at Bellator 268". MMA Junkie. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  20. ^ "Bellator 268 results: Brent Primus spoils Benson Henderson homecoming, calls for title opportunity". MMA Junkie. 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
  21. ^ Guillen, Adam Jr. (2022-04-01). "Brent Primus vs Alexander Shabliy targeted for Bellator 282 on June 24". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
  22. ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (2022-06-24). "Bellator 282 video: Alexander Shabliy stuns ex-champ Brent Primus with brutal KO". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  23. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 282 'Mousasi vs. Eblen' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-06-25.
  24. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2023-02-21). "Sidney Outlaw flunks drug test, Brent Primus enters lightweight grand prix at Bellator Paris". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  25. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-12). "Bellator 296: Mansour Barnaoui Starts Hot, But Brent Primus Wins Decision, Advances in Grand Prix". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  26. ^ Guillen Jr, Adam (2023-08-09). "Bellator 300 set with four title fights featuring Ryan Bader, Cris Cyborg and Usman Nurmagomedov". SBNation. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  27. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-10-08). "Bellator 300: Usman Nurmagomedov Retains, Cruises Past Brent Primus to Grand Prix Final". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  28. ^ Kasabian, Paul (2023-11-11). "Usman Nurmagomedov Tests Positive for Banned Substance, Suspended 6 Months by CSAC". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  29. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  30. ^ "2024 PFL 2 video: Former Bellator champ Brent Primus taps Gabriel Miranda". MMA Junkie. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  31. ^ "Full PFL 5 Fight Card Announced, Set for June 21st". May 2024.
  32. ^ "2024 PFL 5 Regular Season Official Weigh-in Results: One Heavy". 20 June 2024.
  33. ^ "2024 PFL 5 video: Brent Primus pulls off gusty last-minute submission of Solomon Renfro". MMA Junkie. 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  34. ^ Staff (2024-07-09). "Main Cards Announced for All Three 2024 PFL Playoff Events". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  35. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-08-17). "PFL Hollywood: Wrestling-Heavy, Low-Action Fight Sees Brent Primus Defeat Clay Collard". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  36. ^ Guillen, Adam (2024-10-17). "PFL's 2024 million-dollar Championship mega-event headed to Riyadh on Nov. 29". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  37. ^ Bryan Tucker (2024-11-29). "PFL World Championship 2024 Results". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  38. ^ "PFL announces 2025 lightweight tournament field". MMA Junkie. 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
  39. ^ Heck, Mike (2025-03-11). "PFL reveals all first-round matchups for 2025 World Tournament". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  40. ^ Sherdog.com. "PFL Tournament 3 Update: Vinicius Cenci Replaces Alexandr Shabliy in Bracket". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  41. ^ Sherdog.com. "Fabian Edwards Destroys Impa Kasanganay in PFL 3 Main Event". Sherdog. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  42. ^ "MMA Junkie's 'Submission of the Month' for May: An ex-champ rebounds with a rare tap". mmajunkie.com. May 30, 2019.
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