‘Rust is shaken off’ - Frans Mlambo opens up on ‘mad’ MMA return ahead of PFL Europe play-off

The Irishman kicked off the $100,000 tournament with a majority decision victory over Rachid Haz in Berlin.

That was Mlambo’s first outing since winning a split decision against Kevin Cordero 19 months prior.

The 32-year-old admitted that his performance against Haz left a lot to be desired, though getting the victory after such a prolonged absence was certainly a step in the right direction.

Looking back at that last outing, Mlambo told Planet Sport: “That was a mad one, my last fight. It was the longest time I’ve gone without fighting since I actually started fighting. This is going back to my boxing days.

“Getting back into it was a whole new experience for me. In that fight, I was going in there with so much pent-up energy and I’m just going to let it out.

“But once I was out there, it turned out totally different. I was calmer than I thought I was going to be. I wasn’t as aggressive as I thought I was going to be.

“I felt a lot of rust. That performance, in the moment, I felt s**t. I felt like I was doing all the wrong things. Once I watched the fight, it wasn’t as bad as I felt it was.

“But that just goes to show, if I can come in and win the fight against a good guy, if I can do that and still be able to get the win, I think we’re looking good. I feel much better now.

“I’m way more prepared, that rust is shaken off, so we’re ready to go."

Mlambo was originally set to battle Francesco Nuzzi in Saturday’s semi-final. However, following the Italian’s withdrawal, PFL Europe were able to draft in Benkaci as a late replacement.

The bantamweight clash will take place on Saturday, September 30 and will be broadcast live on DAZN for fans in the United Kingdom. 

Photo Credit: PFL Europe