Dakota Bush made a 34-second statement in his PFL debut. | 📷:
PFL MMA
Fresh off a 34-second knockout victory in his PFL debut earlier
this year, lightweight Dakota Bush
will return to action at PFL Tampa, where he’ll take on Morquez
Forest in a showcase bout. Bush will look to build on his
momentum. Having previously competed in
Legacy Fighting Alliance and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bush feels he has found a home
in
Professional Fighters League. His arrival comes as the company
merges with
Most Valuable Promotions and opportunities emerge throughout
the roster.
In an interview with Sherdog.com, Bush discussed his arrival in the
PFL, his future in a fast-moving division and the timing of his
opportunity.
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Dakota Bush targets Morquez Forest and the PFL lightweight
rankings after his explosive promotional debut
“It’s been amazing, man,” Bush said about his arrival to the PFL.
“It just kind of validated what everyone around me already knew. I
believe I’m one of the best fighters in the world, I just needed a
platform to prove it on, and the PFL has done that for me. I’m
super excited to get back in there again and show my updated skill
set and prove to the world that I am one of the best out
there.”
After making his debut in spectacular fashion, Bush is not looking
to rush his ascent in the division. Instead, he plans to produce
more highlight-reel performances and gradually climb toward the top
of the lightweight rankings.
“Everyone wants to be the champion, that sounds great when you put
it on paper and what not, but for me, my goal every time I step
into the cage is just to have my best performance to date. I really
focus on that, when you do that and you don’t look too far ahead,
you just focus on stacking them wins, and you get in the position
I’m in right now. I feel I can be a mainstay in this promotion for
a very long time and soon you’re going to see me fighting upwards
into the rankings. Business first in Tampa, I’ve got to check that
box first, and get another great finish.”
Cris Cyborg’s
final MMA bout headlines PFL Tampa: Tune in on Saturday, Aug. 22 at
9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Bush recognizes Forest’s experience but believes he is the better
overall fighter.
“He’s a tough guy, has a record of 8-1, he’s fought in
CFFC which is a good promotion, they send a lot of guys to the
next level and he’s here now. He’s well-rounded, he does the right
things, but I just think that I’m a better fighter all across the
board. It’s my job to go out there and prove that to him, to the
world, and to myself.”
Although he preferred the quick first-round finish in his PFL
debut, Bush understands that he must always be prepared for a
grueling fight. His desire to serve as a role model to his kids
helps prepare him for any challenge and reminds them to never give
up on themselves.
“It’s my family, they’ve sacrificed so much for me to be in this
position and I’ve got two sets of eyes looking up to me, I can’t
mess this up. When things get hard or the opportunities present
themselves for you to quit, there’s so many spots in the fights
where you have the choice “Do I take the easy way out or do I
fight?” and that’s what pushes me, man. It’s easy to tell them what
to do but if you’re not living it, how are they supposed to believe
it and look up to it? So I’m trying to just prove it to my kids.
This is what hard work looks like. This is what you have to do. One
day they’re going to look back and know that their Dad never quit,
he worked his hardest, and he gave it everything he ever had. This
is what I’m trying to prove here.”
Whether the fight becomes a three-round war or ends with another
quick finish, Bush promises to dominate Forest and believes a
victory could propel him toward the rankings.
“If we take care of business and do my job, there’s no reason why I
shouldn’t be fighting into the rankings in my next fight or in the
rankings. I’m not 100% sure if [champion] Usman
Nurmagomedov is leaving the company, word on the street he is,
and that frees up a lot of movement in the division because he’s
already beat me so many guys. For me, the opportunities are endless
and I’m super excited.”