From Spohn's Facebook Page
Dan Spohn believes he’s one of the favorites to win a million dollars in PFL’s light heavyweight division
In his last matchup, Dan “The Dragon” Spohn went out to prove a point. Spohn defeated Bazigit Atyev by TKO in the third round at PFL 2 to pick up four points and a sixth-place ranking in the Professional Fighters League light heavyweight rankings. By doing that, he believes the rest of the division has heard his message and if not, after PFL 5, they will.
“I think everybody knows to look out if they end up having to face me and I’m one of the biggest threats to take this whole tournament. If they don’t know now then after I fight on Thursday they will.”
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Spohn has previously competed on The Ultimate Fighter, in the UFC, Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and in Bellator. He has faced the likes of Kelvin Tiller and Atilla Vegh. He also has a win over newly signed UFC heavyweight Jeff Hughes. With this level of experience, the Dragon believes he should be considered one of the favorites to win the tournament.
“I’ve fought quite a few tough guys in my career, pretty much all of my fights have been hard fights and I wouldn’t want it any other way. So I know in my mind, I’m definitely a favorite to win.”
Spohn doesn’t care who he faces in the PFL season, though he’d prefer to fight his teammate Jason Butcher at the end.
“We’re just hoping that we would match up at the end so we can get the biggest payday.”
Thankfully for Spohn, he doesn’t have to fight his teammate right now, instead, he will face Artur Alibulatov. Alibulatov has a record of 17-5 and hasn’t fought for the PFL yet. In his last fight, Alibulatov lost to Ildemar Alcantara by split decision. Spohn likes the matchup and thinks he matches up favorably with Alibulatov.
“I think I match up with him pretty well honestly. I think, stylistically it works out pretty well for me. I don’t think he’s fought too many guys who are southpaw and he’s orthodox, so that will be something he’ll have to look at and I kinda have an awkward way I catch people with my timing, so I think it works out well.”
He does feel bad that his opponent drew him for the fight.
“To my opponent, sorry you got this matchup.”
With four points, Spohn has a pretty good shot at making it into the eight-man playoffs, and if he does and wins the season, he says it will be the biggest thing to happen to him in his career.
“To me, it would be the biggest accomplishment in my fight career. It definitely means a lot.”
