Featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull, loyal to Bellator since 2010, is considering other opportunities in the event of Bellator’s potential sale to rival Professional Fighters League, revealing there’s a possibility of his moving to the UFC when his Bellator contract ends.
Patricio Pitbull, who has been loyal to Bellator since beginning to compete under their banner in 2010, is considering exploring other options if the company is sold to the Professional Fighters League (PFL). There are ongoing negotiations between Bellator and PFL for a potential acquisition, and Pitbull believes this deal could happen soon. If this transpires, Pitbull has expressed his openness to move to UFC.
“I’m 36 years old and hold so many records in the organization I love.” Pitbull said, “It really looks like Bellator will get bought by another organization. I’ll complete my deal and see which offer we have on the table, but I think my career deserves a move to the UFC, especially knowing that if I leave as the Bellator and PFL champion we would be close to doing a big fight right off the bat in this organization.” Pitbull did not reveal how many fights remain in his current contract, but it appears it’s drawing to a close.
UFC CEO Dana White recently scoffed at Bellator’s valuation of $500 million, which Pitbull accepted as a business strategy to devalue competitors. “I think that either Bellator or PFL, I’m comfortable in my position,” Pitbull said. “If there’s not enough time to defend my title in Bellator, I think a clash between champions is necessary, going back to my original desire to face champions from other organizations.” He added, “I wouldn’t like to say goodbye to Bellator like this, but I understand the moment. It’s two billion-dollar organizations negotiating. It’s not a rumor, it’s true, there’s negotiations going on.”
In late summer, Pitbull underwent surgery for herniated discs, a serious injury that threatened his career with potential tetraplegia. Despite this, he was eager to keep fighting, even acknowledging his participation in bouts against Sergio Pettis and Chihiro Suzuki while dealing with the numbing injury. “Every fighter goes through moments of injury and defeat, and it was my turn now,” he admitted, “I won’t say that’s an excuse for why I lost, but I think that’s one of the reasons that led to those losses. Life goes on. I’m good to fight more fights. I’m in full recovery and feel great.”