Marcelo Nunes might have a little bit of a chip on his shoulder heading into the PFL’s 2024 season.
Nunes (10-2) had to pull out of the heavyweight postseason in 2023 because of an injury. He was set to meet Renan Ferreira in the opening round. Ferreira went on to win the $1 million title. Then five weeks ago, he knocked out Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds to set up a potential fight with Francis Ngannou.
Nunes said at a media day for the PFL’s 2024 regular season debut he broke his hand against Danilo Marques in the regular season and couldn’t heal in time.
Unfortunately for Nunes, his fight April 12 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas is not part of the 2024 heavyweight season.
“I’m excited to show my work on April 12,” Nunes said. “Next year, or if somebody gets injured or something, I’m going to be ready to represent and go in there and compete in the bracket again.”
All he can do is win and hope for a way into the $1 million season, and that starts with fellow Brazilian Giacomo Lemos (8-0).
Coincidentally, the two fought back-to-back on a PFL Challenger Series event two years ago. Now they get to fight, and it’ll be in Nunes’ Las Vegas home base.
“I’m just going there to get a win,” Nunes said. “I never try to put on a show. I just want to get a win – go in there, get my work done. The last time I fought in Vegas, I felt a lot of pressure, but I feel I learned a lot from it. It’s definitely special fighting at home in town, especially now I own a gym here in Vegas. My whole students, my whole family has been there watching. But I feel like I’m mentally prepared more than the last time, because last time’s the first time fighting in Vegas. I feel really good. It’s crazy for me, but I feel prepared this time.”
Check out Nunes’ full media day interview above.
