PFL 2’s – Vinny Magalhaes – “I don’t have any reason to stop fighting”
PFL 2 Media Day went down earlier today ahead of the event on Thursday, April 29th as their 2021 season continues. The sophomore effort of the calendar year emanates from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The welterweights and light heavyweights are prominently featured on this card. I spoke with Vinny Magalhaes ahead of the pugilistic proceedings.
PFL 2 Media Day
Just kind of curious because the last time I’m seeing you competed in MMA was October 2019. But keeping active on the Submission Underground circuit as of late.
How do you feel getting back to a competitive MMA framework here?
“Well, you know, I’ve been begging for my manager to get me fights through this whole period. For me, I was just trying to stay busy with grappling. As a matter of fact, that’s what I was getting ready for. That’s why I was a little bit heavier and everything over the last few weeks. Because I was planning on competing in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments since I didn’t have anything contracted to fight MMA. But since last year I was asking my manager to get me a fight.”
“I want to fight. I’ve been ready to fight. I would say since my last one. Was not with PFL. I didn’t have a contract with PFL. So for me, it was looking to fight anywhere. Not really to get locked in any contract. I really just wanted to be a free agent, getting in fights as much as I could. Unfortunately, things didn’t happen. But fortunately, I got back with PFL which is a promotion I’ve always liked fighting for since World Series (Of Fighting) days. And it’s good to be back.”
Vinny Magalhaes
You touched on it too with the long history in the promotion and you’ve had a good couple of runs in the tournament structure even getting to the finals in 2018 there.
Watch Vinny Magalhaes vs. Sean O’Connell above
I’m kind of curious, is there a level of redemption heading into this upcoming season here or is it just like a clean slate, you’re not looking at the prior season backdrop?
“It’s a different format this year…You’re not just going fight for fight. You have to focus on each fight at a time. But you’re not here just to fight and see how it goes. You really think about the big prize…For me, I’m not one of those guys. I don’t have 10 years of fighting anymore. So for me, it’s like everything that I have like I gotta get the best of it. So I feel like that’s my shot. I would say that winning this season, I would have to think if I’m going to go for another one.”
“If I’m going to stop fighting, it’s one of the things. I don’t have any reason to stop fighting. I feel healthy. I’m feeling good physically, mentally, and all that. But I’m just not one of those guys that plan on fighting until I’m like 42 or 45. It’s just not my thing and I got to think of my brain health too. It’s not just about being physically fit and things like that.”
“I got my kids and I want to enjoy time with them too. When I’m in training camps, it’s really rough to spend time with a family. So I’ll do as much as I can but I’m not going to be there for much longer.”
