Brent Primus: 'It would be awesome to have Anthony Pettis in Bellator'

Former Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus wants Anthony Pettis to join the promotion once his UFC contract runs up.

"I think it would be awesome to have Anthony Pettis in Bellator," Primus told theScore. "I would love to fight that guy, he's got (an) awesome stand-up (game). One of my old training partners (Emmanuel Sanchez) trains with him over there now, so I think that'd be cool, man."

Pettis, a former UFC lightweight champion, has lost back-to-back fights and hasn't put together two straight wins since December 2014. While the 33-year-old remains under contract with the UFC, his younger brother, Sergio, left the promotion for Bellator in late October of last year and won his promotional debut Jan. 25.

Meanwhile, Primus (9-1) is scheduled to face Chris Bungard (15-5) in the co-main event of Bellator Dublin on Feb. 22. While Primus is set to fight Bungard after his original opponent, Peter Queally, withdrew from the event due to injury, the 34-year-old Primus wants to face a more notable fighter after his upcoming bout.

"It just sucks (Bungard's) not really ranked, but I just really hope they get me a top guy after this," Primus said. "I really want to fight Benson Henderson, and, obviously, I want to fight (lightweight champion) Patricio Freire. I think either of those fights would be awesome. I want that belt."

Primus added: "Bungard is definitely a tough guy, but, like I said, man, I've been dropping my training partners every single week. I've been submitting black belts every day in training camp. Everything feels amazing right now. I think I'm gonna knock this guy out or submit him for sure."