Brent Primus: I Can Beat Mansour Barnaoui Anywhere the Fight Takes Us

Brent Primus talks with the press ahead of his bout Friday in Paris at Bellator 296.

“I was definitely upset that I wasn’t in the tournament, but I stayed focused and in the gym. I prayed every day that I’d be in the tournament, and here I am. There are eight guys in the tournament, so I knew that anything could happen. I feel like this is where I should’ve been in the first place. I was not happy. I prayed every day, and here I am.”

On fighting for the title next with a victory: “It’s going to be awesome, but I’ve got a tough test in front of me on Friday. [My opponent] Mansour [Barnaoui] is no joke, so I’m going to go out there on Friday and fight like my life depends on it. First Friday night, then Usman’s next.”

On Barnaoui’s BELLATOR debut: “I was impressed. Adam Piccolotti’s no joke on the ground. He swept him with that famous sweep of his, then he choked him. I don’t think he can choke me, and honestly, I don’t think he wants to go to the ground with me. But I’m comfortable on the ground, I’m comfortable on the feet, and I’m ready for Friday night.”

On his preparations for Barnaoui’s submissions: “I haven’t been choked out once this camp, and I spent hours and hours with world-class black belts on my back trying to finish me. I’ve trained with Lucas Barbosa, who’s a world champ. So, he won’t choke me — that’s for sure.”

“I don’t think he’s fought anyone with my skillset. This is BELLATOR; we’re a lot tougher than the guys in ROAD FC, so if he thinks he can just walk through me because he won a tournament in ROAD FC, it’s different here. You can’t underestimate any opponent. I know Mansour has not fought anyone like me. I bring a different skillset to his game. I think it’s going to be a tough fight for him. I know he’s tough, but I’m ready for Friday night.”

“You’re going to see a great fight. I’m going to be explosive, fast, methodical, and calculated. I’m going to get my hand raised.”