Curtis Scott is suddenly gunning to become the first NRL player to earn a UFC contract – and while also calling for a bareknuckle showdown against Australia’s sole world heavyweight champion, Lucas ‘Big Daddy’ Browne.
Only 18 months after making his own professional boxing debut, Fox Sports Australia can reveal Scott is now readying to fight across three combat disciplines – boxing, bareknuckle and MMA – after receiving a surprise offer from global MMA franchise, Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Scott revealed the PFL deal would see him fight four times over the next two years – after which, the 27-year-old then plans to have compiled a resume worthy of entry into the UFC.
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Already, the exiled NRL star has spoken about potentially working out of the same gym as Australia’s first UFC champion, Robert Whittaker.
The 2017 Melbourne premiership player has also spent time training recently with both Jimmy Crute and Jono Micallef, both of whom are fighting on this Sunday’s UFC Fight Night showcase in Perth.
“And making the UFC is definitely the end goal,” Scott told Fox Sports Australia this week. “Being a offered a deal with the PFL, that’s a massive opportunity for me.
“And I actually think MMA suits me more than every other combat sport.
“I’ve done a lot of wrestling, a lot of grappling, and I’m strong for my weight.
“My boxing coach, Brian Doyle, also trains both Rob Whittaker and Jacob Malkoun, so if everything goes to plan I’ll head out to Smeaton Grange and get involved with those guys.
“When it comes to Australian MMA, they’re the top of the tree.
“So the plan would be to go out there and train.”
Scott also praised his recent work with Sunday’s Perth fighters, continuing: “Getting to spar against Jimmy and Jono has been fantastic.
“(Laughs) Although, first time in with Jono, I didn’t know who he was.
“I remember thinking to myself ‘geez, who is this guy?’ … he’s that good. And then finally, they told me he’s a UFC fighter.
“They’re both great blokes and I can’t wait to see them get strong wins this weekend.”
Pushed on his proposed UFC tilt, Scott continued: “I’m a fast learner, super dedicated and have always worked extremely hard at whatever I do.
“I also take risks.
“I’m a guy who has never shied away from a challenge, regardless of whether people think I’m out of my depth.
“In boxing, I haven’t worried about weight.
“I’ve fought guys 20 kilos heavier, and backed myself.
“And the rewards have come from that.”
The surprise PFL deal comes as Scott is also in discussions to fight on the undercard of No Limit’s upcoming all-Australian blockbuster between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa.
The former leaguie is also looking to take a second bareknuckle fight as early as next January – and potentially, against former world champ Browne – after earning a win in last weekend’s new domestic promotion being fronted by Anthony Mundine.
A former world heavyweight champion, Browne has also made the switch to bareknuckle and only recently earned a strong win in the UK.
“A fight between myself and Lucas Browne, that would be massive here in Australia,” Scott said.
“I’m definitely keen to help push the sport locally, and try to lure some big names here.
“Because as brutal as the sport is, I also think it’s the most entertaining.
“The way it’s taking off now, it’s really similar to those early days of the UFC.
“Yes, it’s goryut that’s what people want to see.
“This is the entertainment business and my job is to entertain.
“And that means putting opponents to sleep.
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“So if I can go NRL, boxing, bareknuckle, UFC, yeah, that’s a life.”
Asked how he found his bareknuckle debut, Scott continued: “Going into it, I had a weird feeling.
“There weren’t a lot of emotions, I was just nervous about breaking my hands.
“Then when I got to the venue and started watching, mate, it’s a brutal sport.
“Being in the main event, I was out in the change rooms watching all these guys come back busted up, one after the other.
“I remember thinking ‘far out, why have I signed up for this?’
“(Laughs) Even when I got into the ring, I looked down and the whole thing was covered in blood.
“So I’m thinking ‘f***, this is brutal … but it’s happening’.
“Then I just fell back on my training and did what I did. And I loved it.”
On Saturday afternoon, Scott’s former NRL team, the Melbourne Storm, are up against Cronulla in the preliminary finals before Penrith then faces Brisbane on Sunday.
“Obviously I’ve got a soft spot for the Storm,” he said. “And I know Belly (coach Craig Bellamy) will have the boys ready.
“But I’ll also say that while ever Nathan Cleary is still in this finals series, nobody is safe.”
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