Daniel Marcos enters PFL with quite the ambitious mindset.
The former UFC bantamweight has yet to debut in the PFL, and he already wants some championship action. Marcos (18-1) takes on PFL contender Magomed Magomedov (22-5) this Saturday at PFL Tampa (ESPN/ESPN+) – which takes place at Benchmark International Arena in Florida. Fighting a former Bellator title challenger and long-time contender in Magomedov, Marcos believes a good win could set him up to fight for the vacant PFL bantamweight title.
"Yeah, 100 percent it does," Marcos told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I'm fighting No. 6 or 7 in the world, and this is the opportunity I have in front of me. Winning this one, which will happen, I feel like I become one of the guys that could fight for
the belt next. There's a lot on the line in this fight, a lot. Let's hope that PFL crowns a champion this year or maybe the inaugural MVP MMA belt in January or February. That's when the MVP change kicks in. Either way, I'm here, and I'm ready. If I have to climb and fight the guys at the top, I'll fight. I have no problem with that."
At this moment, PFL has no bantamweight champion. Patchy Mix was the reference in the division, being the Bellator champion at 135 pounds. He left the promotion in May 2024 before he could get promoted to PFL champion or fight for the PFL title.
Marcos joins the PFL after having gone 5-1 in the UFC with his last win in the promotion being a submission finish over Miles Johns. Many were surprised the UFC didn't re-sign him after his contract ended. Marcos was initially shocked and hurt by his UFC career coming to an end to what he and many deemed to be unfair. Now, days away from fighting in PFL, Marcos has already moved on from his abrupt UFC exit.
"That's in the past now, and I already turned the page," Marcos said. "Now my mind is focused on Aug. 22, PFL, and making a spectacular debut. I want to let my power be known in that cage. I've worked hard with my team in Miami, along with my team in Peru. This is a new opportunity, and I'm excited to return to the cage."
Marcos was considered a promising up-and-comer, and was suspected to be on the cusp of breaking into the UFC rankings at the time of his UFC exit. He's scouted the PFL talent pool, and feels he still has a mountain to climb just as he did in the UFC.
"To tell you the truth, I'm always training to fight the best, so that hasn't changed," Marcos said. "This is something new, as I'm making my PFL debut. I don't know how things are run there, but I'm positive, and I'm here to carve my own path in this promotion."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Marcos sees shot at PFL vacant title with Magomed Magomedov win
