Lance Palmer: I see my pace and pressure being too much for Bubba Jenkins

Two-time PFL featherweight champion Lance Palmer doesn’t think Bubba Jenkins can keep up with him.

Palmer (22-3 MMA, 11-0 PFL) faces Jenkins (14-4 MMA, 0-0 PFL) on the main card of PFL 2021, Week 1 on April 23, which will air on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

No one has had an answer for Palmer thus far in the PFL. The four-time NCAA Division I All-American has won his past 11 in a row, en route to capturing back-to-back tournament titles.

But Palmer may be facing his sternest test to date in Jenkins, at least in the grappling department. The pair share history, having competed against each other in wrestling on numerous occasions, and while Jenkins thinks his wins will give him a mental edge, Palmer has put that history behind him.

He expects to overwhelm Jenkins, just like he has all his prior opposition in the PFL, but he doesn’t see the fight as an opportunity to get any sort of revenge from their wrestling days.

“No, because there’s nothing to get him back for,” Palmer told MMA Junkie. “I beat him, and he beat me, and it was 13 years ago. … I see my pace and pressure being too much for him.”

This season, new faces such as Jenkins, Tyler Diamond and Brendan Loughnane have all joined the PFL roster. But having competed in tournaments throughout his entire athletic career, Palmer said he is accustomed to having a target on his back and remains as motivated as ever.

“I’ve always had people gunning for me since I was 9 years old and wrestling, so this is nothing new,” Palmer said. “Everyone at the weight class is competitive, and it’s nice to have fresh faces.”