Things aren't looking great for PFL-Bellator; with one of their biggest stars now coming out to not only scorch the promotion, but also request that he be signed by their biggest rival.
Popular featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has long expressed his desire to be released from his current PFL/Bellator contract – and the 37-year-old already has four big names in mind as to who could welcome him to the UFC.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Patricio Pitbull talks about wanting to leave Bellator and possibly signing with the UFC
The iconic featherweight has been demanding to be released from his current contract for several months, citing a lack of interest from the promotion in keeping him active.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show last night, the popular featherweight champion decided not to mince words as he simply acknowledged that “The Bellator I helped build is no more.
“They even looked like they changed the name – it's now 'Road To Dubai' – so everything is very different than before… The history I made in Bellator was beautiful, but it's a cycle that until stand has come to an end.
“[Bellator] is no longer the same place, things no longer work as they used to,” the Brazilian noted, before reaffirming: “I think we should go our own way, without obligations.”
Should Pitbull get his wish to be released from this new PFL/Bellator, there is only one destination that makes sense for the 37-year-old.
“For me it's about legacy. I want to fight in the UFC, that's all.”
Pitbull believes the UFC is already interested in acquiring his skills, with Dana White recently teasing that the promotion would be open to welcoming new talent in 2025.
“If Dana White doesn't want someone, he just says no,” Pitbull noted: “But when asked at a recent press conference, he gave a lackluster answer.
“I am sure that when I am free, he will be able to speak more openly.”
Later in the interview, which is definitely worth listening to in full, Pitbull would even reveal the four names he would like to test himself against.
“My desire is just to run away. I want to fight different guys; I want to fight Max Holloway, [Ilia] Topuria, Diego Lopes, [Alexander] Volkanovski – all those guys that people said they wanted to see me fight.
Patricio Pitbull is slamming PFL founder Donn Davis for the recent admission
PFL founder Donn Davis recently made headlines when he admitted in a Q&A with MMA Fighting that he doesn't watch fights or pay attention to other MMA promotions.
These words certainly did not sit well with Pitbull, who argued that such comments create a sense of uncertainty for fans and fighters alike.
“Donn Davis is an investor, he's a promoter, but he came out and said he doesn't watch MMA, he doesn't watch the fights. So how can you tell people to watch the fights?
“They did not keep their promises to fulfill fighter jet contracts and fired many people. So it creates a sense of uncertainty for all of us. There are a lot of things they need to do as a promotion, and I really hope they do that. Do something good with the right mindset, but I don't expect that.”
Pitbull is certainly not the only active fighter to find himself in this position, with bantamweight champion Patchy Mix and light heavyweight champion Corey Anderson also expressing frustration at the lack of communication.
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