'PFL: Daytona' headliner Brian Foster says Jon Fitch a roadblock on his path to top

Brian Foster and Jon Fitch could soon find themselves competing with $1 million on the line. So why do it now, with just a win bonus hanging in the balance?

For Foster, the answer is simple: Because Fitch is standing in his way.

“Fitch is always at the top,” Foster told MMAjunkie Radio. “I was always aiming in that direction – still am. He seems to be the roadblock in my way to continue the path towards that direction.”

Foster (27-9) and Fitch (29-7-1) meet in the main event of Friday’s “PFL: Daytona,” the inaugural event for the newly rebranded promotion formerly known as WSOF. The card, which serves as one of a series of events that precede the promotion’s debut season in 2018, airs on NBCSN from Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

When next year’s schedule is revealed, PFL fighters will be seeded and tracked as they compete for a $1 million grand prize, awarded at the conclusion of the season. As top fighters on the PFL’s welterweight roster, it stands to reason that Foster and Fitch could wind up facing each other next year with those stakes on the line, but Foster hasn’t competed since October and said he wasn’t willing to sit around any longer.

“I’m not that kind of guy that likes to sit on the shelf – never have been,” Foster said. “I love to fight. That’s just the way it is.”

The result could certainly set the tone for the upcoming season. Foster was a lightweight tournament winner and onetime title challenger for WSOF, so he has options in two divisions.

And with PFL’s new league structure guiding the way, Foster believes he’s primed to shine.

“Once you give to the fighters, they give back, and they put on great shows,” Foster said. “Fans love it. That’s just the way that it is, a trickle-down situation, and I look forward to doing it. I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Check out the video above to hear more from Foster.

And for additional coverage of “PFL: Daytona,” check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.