Michael Dufort knew his back was against the wall in Salt Lake City, but all he could do was watch. Dufort had just come up short in a split decision loss to Adam Piccolotti and was in need of help in order to secure a spot in the 2024 Professional Fighters League playoffs.
Dufort, in an incredible moment captured by the broadcast cameras, was overcome with joy when he got the help necessary and made it into the semifinals, where he is now set to face Gadzhi Rabadanov at PFL 8 this Friday in Hollywood, Florida. Having a two-time PFL world champion in the retired Olivier Aubin-Mercier in his corner, Dufort not only has all the motivation he needs but has learned plenty from the man who has won the league twice. With Aubin-Mercier’s two golden $1 million checks hanging high in the gym, Dufort is using his loss as a learning lesson to create his own path.
“The next two fights are going to be huge for me,” he told Sherdog.com. “Luckily, my first performance was good enough to get me in the playoffs. We know it’s supposed to be four wins in a row [and] then I’d get the $1 million, but I guess I’m going to have my own path and go through adversity and win this my way. That’s the fun thing about losing. You watch your fight differently than if you’ve won. If you’re real, you’re going to get it and get better from that loss, and I think that’s where I am right now.”
Rabadanov went through the regular season with two decision wins, and many view him as a difficult matchup for the Canadian. Dufort wants critics to recognize his abilities and past history. One look at his career resume tells you “The Canadian Badass” often bounces back in a big way after a loss.
“They all said he’s a nightmare matchup, but they don’t know me,” Dufort said. “Look at my record. When I get a loss, I bounce back like no one can. My bounce backs are huge. I have a good winning streak after I lose. Even if I don’t consider it a loss [to Piccolotti], I’m hungry. I want Gadzhi’s head. It’s not his fault, but I want his head.”
Dufort says he believes he is fighting the most dangerous opponent left in the draw, but when it comes to their respective training partners, he believes they balance out.
“I think I’m fighting the most dangerous guy, so all the pressure is on myself right now,” he said. “I’m ready. I’m ready for this test. He might train with Khabib [Nurmagomedov], but I train with Georges [St. Pierre], so we’re pretty even there.”
A legendary team in Montreal has prepared Dufort for this moment. He believes he has done the work necessary to bring another PFL title back to Canada.
“I got to keep it home,” Dufort said. “The lightweight belt is here, and Montreal is its home, so I’m going to bring it back home.”
Having learned lessons throughout his battle with adversity this season, Dufort believes that it has molded him into the fighter the world will see in the semifinals and that it will inevitably lead him to a world title.
“It’s pretty much my life,” he said. “That’s what I did all my life. Adversity or some unfair thing happens, and I always bounce back. Those unfair things make me hungry like you’ve never seen a guy hungry.”
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