Shane Burgos shifted priorities to become a prize fighter in PFL: ‘I’m fighting for a f****** bag now’

Shane Burgos wished an opportunity to compete for the $1 million prize within the PFL finals. However his choice to signal there relatively than returning to the UFC went deeper than simply looking for that doable reward.

After reaching free company following the tip of his earlier contract with the UFC, the 32-year-old veteran was at a crossroad with the place he wished to go in his profession. Dealing with the identical scenario a number of years earlier, Burgos opted to stick with the UFC, and whereas cash was at all times vital, it wasn’t the driving think about his choice.

That every one modified this previous 12 months when Burgos was confronted with the identical possibility and the PFL got here calling.

“The deal I acquired is phenomenal,” Burgos informed MMA Preventing. “By the tip of the match, as soon as I get my hand raised and get that belt wrapped round my waist, my checking account goes to be trying mighty high quality. My supervisor Malki [Kawa] put that in my head — are you a UFC fighter or are you a prize fighter? I can proudly and confidently say now I’m a prize fighter.

“I’m combating for a f****** bag now. I’m not combating for peanuts. I’m combating for professional athlete cash and that’s what I’m making.”

Based on Burgos, he wanted that reminder from his supervisor, particularly when the time got here to make that call about both staying with the UFC or testing himself in one other promotion.

Now simply days away from making his PFL debut, Burgos is very happy together with his alternative.

“This isn’t the primary time I’ve fought out my contract, that is the second time,” Burgos defined. “At first when he requested me that query, I used to be a UFC fighter. I took delight in being within the UFC, being within the prime group. Now I’ve acquired to verify this s*** was value it when it’s all mentioned and finished.

“I’m placing my f******* physique on the road. You’ve seen the best way I battle. I don’t battle to win factors. I put my blood, sweat and tears into this s***. Not simply within the cage however within the buildup to it. I’ve acquired to verify once I’m finished with this sport, I’ve acquired three daughters that want their dad and so they’ve acquired to say it was value it and I’m making this s*** value it.”

After signing with the PFL, Burgos did hear from UFC President Dana White, who expressed remorse that the group didn’t attempt tougher to maintain him there. That meant loads, as a result of he by no means wished to burn bridges with the UFC. He simply couldn’t cross up on the chance that the PFL provided.

“Very first thing that involves thoughts, the sensation I get when listening to that’s it’s flattering,” Burgos mentioned. “Say what you need about Dana, you’ve acquired to provide him respect. An enormous a part of why this sport is so huge is due to him. So to have him say one thing like that about me after leaving his group, to want me properly, he known as me after and was completely happy for me. Identical factor with Hunter [Campbell] and Sean Shelby.

“To exit on good phrases like that, which by no means actually occurs, and to be appreciated for the fights and the present I placed on for them, it feels good to be appreciated for that.”

Whereas the cash is nice, Burgos additionally is aware of that he’s nonetheless going through extremely powerful opposition within the PFL with no ensures that he’ll discover success. He’s witnessed loads of UFC veterans and former champions signal with the PFL and by no means attain the season finals, a lot much less declare the title and $1 million prize.

“I don’t suppose it’s a step down [in competition] in any respect,” Burgos mentioned. “They’ve f****** phenomenal fighters in each the 145 and 155 [pound] weight lessons that I used to be dabbling with. To take a look at that as a step down for me because the athlete doing it, that will be silly on my half. It’s not going to be simple. It’s not going to be a stroll within the park.

“4 fights towards anybody is tough in eight months. 4 fights towards guys which might be world class, it’s not simple. I don’t anticipate it to be simple. Something value having in life doesn’t come simple so I’ll take the exhausting approach.”