Chris Bungard sizes up Brent Primus, plans to 'shock the world' on short notice at Bellator 240

Scottish lightweight Chris Bungard has played the role of spoiler before, and he’s more than happy to step in on short notice and do it again in the main event of Bellator 240 in Dublin.

Bungard (15-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) will step in on just two weeks’ notice to face former lightweight champion Brent Primus at 3Arena on Saturday, and he said he’s ready to spring another shock inside the cage.

Bungard’s promotional debut saw him halt the momentum of England’s former two-division BAMMA champion Terry Brazier as he upset the form book and finished the Englishman via rear-naked choke in just 126 seconds at Bellator Europe 1 in February 2019. Now the 31-year-old says he’s looking to do the same again against an even more highly regarded opponent.

“Obviously Brent’s a much higher quality guy than Terry, he’s very well known,” Bungard told MMA Junkie during media day in Dublin. “They say the Americans are a higher caliber, but I think they’re a bit overrated, to be fair. They’re just men at the end of the day. We’re two guys going at it, and yes, he has his skillset, but I see ways to beat him. I think I’m going to shock the world one more time.”

Despite his fighting moniker of “The Bad Guy,” Bungard is likely to receive the lion’s share of support from the Dublin crowd on fight night. A lifelong fan of Glasgow soccer team Celtic Football Club, Bungard says his close ties with the club mean he has an instant connection with the Irish fans.

“There are obvious ties with Celtic Football Club, my favorite team in the world, which was formed in 1887 to feed the Irish immigrants, the hungry homeless children. So that’s where the Irish ties are from, with Celtic,” Bungard said. “And when I walk out with my Celtic top on, I’ll feel like one of their own. I thrive off the walk-ins, the crowd, the big arenas. That’s where I’m at my best.”

Since signing with Bellator, Bungard’s performances have taken a noticeable step up, with submission wins over Brazier and Benjamin Brander sandwiching a closely contested decision loss to English veteran Charlie Leary. The Scot says fighting on the big stage has inspired him to produce bigger performances.

“I just think it’s where I belong,” Bungard said. “I needed that chance fighting under the big lights in the big promotions. Bellator took that chance on me, and I’m repaying them. I’m clear that I’ll fight any guy they want and take the hard fights when they need, and I promote them well. I’m always promoting Bellator in a positive way, and I’ve got a good fanbase. I think they like me, and I’m obviously happy to be here. I think I’ll be here for a good few years to come.”

During his Bellator tenure, Bungard says he hopes the promotion will pull the trigger on a debut event in Scotland, where he says the fans will deliver a memorable atmosphere at the spectacular Hydro Arena in Glasgow.

“Oh man, that would be nuts,” he said. “I think they need to give it a chance. I know I could sell that place out. People think Scotland’s not marketable when it is. The UFC sold out pretty quick both times and got the ‘Crowd of the Year’ on Ariel Helwani’s show. They just need to take that chance.

“My fans travel to watch me in London, in Newcastle and here in Dublin, but imagine if they can just walk to the arena. They’ll come in their thousands. What a night that would be. What an atmosphere that would be.”

But before he can turn his attention to future fights, Bungard has to take on the formidable challenge posed by Primus (9-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA). Bungard admits his opponent is a strong athlete but said that his own strengths are being underestimated.

“Honestly, he’s a great athlete. Solid on the deck, black belt, good wrestler, heavy strikes. But as I say, they’re overrated because they’re over there and they get the TV screening. We’re just over here doing our thing, but we’re just as good as athletes.

“I think I’m going to make it ugly. It’s going to be a tough fight. If I’m being honest, I think it’s going to be a three-round bloody war. But I would like a wee knee, a wee knee catching him coming in for a TKO finish.”