The UFC is the cream of the crop in MMA, but that doesn't mean rival promotions don't put on huge events featuring world-class athletes; if only those athletes would fight regularly.
In recent weeks, several big names from PFL-Bellator have come out to denounce the promotion and ask to be released from their contracts – UFC CEO Dana White responds with a wry smile.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Dana White teases signing new fighters because 'things don't look good' in PFL
Earlier this week, Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull demanded that the PFL release him from his current fighting contract, citing a lack of interest from the promotion in keeping him active.
Pitbull was then joined on his lifeboat by bantamweight champion Patchy Mix, who went to
When asked about the potential free agents that could hit the market in 2025, Dana White teased that the promotion would be open to recruiting new talent – adding that he isn't surprised about the situation if whole.
“Listen, we've been talking a lot about the PFL over the last few months… They're canceling a lot of shows, I know a lot of guys who are supposed to be fighting aren't fighting, and I mean Y'all know what the fuck is going on.
“When you see that happening, you're running out of money and things don't look good. There will be people who want to jump ship.”
With Pitbull and Mix being 37 and 31 years old respectively, neither fighter can afford the luxury of sitting out and competing just once a year – especially the bantamweight star, who is only just starting his fighting career.
“These guys want to fight, and you have very few opportunities when you're a professional athlete, and even fewer when you're an athlete. [professional] fighter,” White acknowledged.
“I'm sure you'll see a lot of that, we'll see how this plays out over the next few months, through 2025.”
Dana White is asked if Patricio Pitbull wants to come to the UFC because he's not getting fights:
You know what the fuck is going on. When you see that happening, you're running out of money and things aren't looking good. You'll have people who want… pic.twitter.com/j6WbF5wn9O
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) December 8, 2024
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Dana White on working with RIZIN to bring more fighters like Asakura to the UFC
While White only hinted that the UFC would be open to recruiting former Bellator and PFL stars, he was much more forthcoming when it came to the talent-rich roster of RIZIN – the organization Kai Asakura previously competed with.
White watched UFC 310 with RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara and at the post-fight press conference he was asked if the UFC would bring in more fighters from the Japanese promotion.
“Yes, you know we did that tonight [with Asakura]he did a good job, I would like to do it [again]. You know, we were just talking in my room and he's now saying that in Japan all these young guys now want to be the first to win a world title in the UFC.
“That's exciting and you know, there's such a rich history of MMA in Japan and some of the best days of my life were our rivalry with Pride – that was a really fun time in my life, and his also… So the answer is yes, to all of that, and I would love to do a Fight Night there [in Japan] at.”
Sakakibara himself noted on social media that while Asakura failed to get the job done in his UFC debut, we are now back on track to see a UFC Fight Night: Japan down the road.
“Kai couldn't keep his promise this time, but I hope he will keep the promise he made to us and the RIZIN fans to become UFC champion and return to Japan! We hope he keeps his head up and moves on immediately. We will continue to support Kai as always!”
If you could recruit any of the other PFL or Bellator stars to the UFC, who would be on your list?
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