5 Things You Might Not Know About Lucas Brennan

Professional Fighters League’s acquisition of Bellator MMA has ushered in a new era, with a landscape now ripe with potential for cross-promotional events, talent exchange, and a collaborative effort toward elevating the stature of both brands. The upcoming PFL 1: 2024 Regular Season event, which goes down on April 4 at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, stands as a testament to that vision.

Among the stellar talents set to compete on the card, 23-year-old grappling standout Lucas Brennan shines brightly with abundant potential. “Skywalker” has clocked nine straight victories since turning professional in 2019. He is scheduled to lock horns with Dimitre Ivy at the PFL 1 card in a featured bout in the featherweight division. Ahead of the clash, let’s take a look at five things you might not know about the budding talent:

The Gamer Within

Unlike many other athletic youngsters who feel a natural pull towards training and competition, Brennan was absorbed by his initial passion for gaming, admitting to a lack of interest in sports and a sparse social circle beyond his brother. In a 2019 interview with Bloody Elbow, Brennan said, “I was super into my video games. And if I’m going to be honest, at the time I didn’t have a whole lot of friends. It was really just me and my brother. I just spent every day at home playing video games all day long. I didn’t really do a whole lot of sports.”

Bloodline Warrior

The 23-year-old is the son of 2014 Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee Chris Brennan; an MMA icon who has competed across several prominent organizations including the UFC and PRIDE. Brennan had his first taste of combat sports at the age of 12 driven by his father’s insistence. “The Westside Strangler” saw martial arts as a bastion of self-defense against trials of middle school bullies. Brennan’s aforementioned hesitation dissolved into a real passion in the face of his brother’s victory over a much more experienced opponent.

Respecting the Dream through Sacrifices and Support

His mother was apprehensive about his pursuit of fighting initially. Although she ultimately embraced the decision, it was clear that her support was rooted in a profound respect for her son’s dreams rather than a personal affinity for the sport. However, he was just 17 when he embarked on his amateur career and his mother had to sign the contract of parental consent for him to start competing. While candidly narrating the event, Brennan recalls that the tears shed during the process served as a poignant testament to the internal struggle she endured, torn between maternal instincts and her son’s chosen path.

Academic Honors to Athletic Pursuits

Brennan’s academic journey began when he graduated Cum Laude from Frisco High School, class of 2018. He initially pursued higher education at the University of North Texas (UNT) in the College of Visual Arts and Design, before his aspirations took a definitive turn towards fully committing to his MMA career.

Training over Temptations

It’s clear that Brennan’s world orbits around his gym, where he spends countless hours honing his skills. He claims to grapple with the challenge of finding purpose outside of training during periods of injury-induced inactivity. Undeterred by the potential for peer ridicule or the idea that the social calendar of people his age brim with parties and gatherings, Brennan is steadfastly pursuing his passion for fighting.