One of many faces of Bellator may depart the promotion quickly.
Patricio Pitbull holds many information in Bellator historical past — together with most fights, most wins, and most belts received and defended — however is sad with what the corporate has turn into since merging with the Skilled Fighters League. Sitting on the sidelines since March after being promised a giant struggle on New Years Eve, Pitbull has had sufficient.
“PFL guys appear a bit misplaced there,” Pitbull mentioned in an interview with MMA Combating. “Seems to be like Bellator is a bit too huge for them, they usually don’t know the way to act correctly.”
Pitbull mentioned he was promised a rematch with RIZIN light-weight champion Chihiro Suzuki in Japan on Dec. 31 proper after his knockout win over Jeremy Kennedy, however the contract was by no means despatched. Six weeks earlier than the date of the present and already in camp in Brazil, Pitbull was knowledgeable that Aaron Pico can be his new opponent. But, the plan as soon as once more didn’t undergo.
Different Bellator athletes, together with his teammate Leandro Higo, have additionally complained about lack of fights. Higo was scheduled to face Patchy Mix for the bantamweight title in December, however the present was finally postponed. The brand new date, deliberate for January, is not going to embody Combine vs. Higo.
“We have been left with solely guarantees,” Pitbull mentioned. “We misplaced rhythm, we misplaced a part of our careers ready for one thing that by no means got here. It’s dangerous for me as a champion. I would like to remain energetic. We all know I’m not getting any youthful, too. So I spoke with my managers and since my contract is just not that lengthy, it’s near the tip, we’ll ask to go away. I have to work.”
Pitbull declined to specify how bouts or how a lot time he has left in his present cope with the corporate. The Brazilian featherweight, who as soon as held two titles concurrently in Bellator, mentioned ‘I really feel very snug financially, my household is ok,” so proper now he’s chasing offers that will have an effect on his legacy. Part of Bellator since its fifteenth card again in 2010, Pitbull mentioned his No. 1 aim can be to hitch the octagon.
“I’ve to struggle within the UFC,” Pitbull mentioned. “I’ve to face these guys. I see myself doing an excellent job there. I don’t see something very particular there. I can struggle anybody there, even the champion. [Ilia Topuria] has some holes we are able to benefit from. I’m certain they suppose the identical about me, however I’ve to belief myself. That is the time.”
MMA Combating reached out for remark from PFL/Bellator however didn’t obtain a response. Pitbull mentioned he doesn’t count on the corporate to be in opposition to releasing an sad champion.
“We all know that, though I’m the champion, I’m on the final chapters of my contract,” Pitbull mentioned. “It doesn’t make sense to maintain me locked. To [lock] somebody that’s not glad and may communicate and be heard around the globe, I believe it might look dangerous, even. They know they’re within the incorrect, and I hope we are able to come to an settlement they usually launch me. I have to struggle and proceed my legacy.”
MMA veteran Gegard Mousasi has complained about lack of fights and finally parted methods with the group. The previous Bellator middleweight champion later filed a lawsuit seeking over $15 million in damages. Douglas Lima has additionally voiced his discontent on-line, however ultimately signed a new deal.
“Mainly, Douglas Lima and my brother [Patricky Pitbull], the high-caliber guys of the group, they both re-signed with their purse lower in half or they’d be lower,” Pitbull mentioned. “That was principally compelled, you realize? [PFL co-owner] Donn Davis mentioned early within the merge that that will not occur, nevertheless it occurred. We all know the group has valued semi-retired fighters and web celebrities greater than precise fighters that placed on a present.”
If the settlement comes, and Pitbull can stroll away from PFL-Bellator and be part of the UFC, he would like to debut straight right into a title struggle with Topuria, very like RIZIN champion Kai Asakura taking up UFC flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja at Saturday’s UFC 310 occasion in Las Vegas.
If that’s not the case, he welcomes any challenges on the high of the featherweight class, naming Movsar Evloev, Diego Lopes, Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega as very best foes — and even one title at light-weight.
“My division is 145, however I’ve a historical past at light-weight,” Pitbull mentioned. “I fought [Michael] Chandler. He’s a well-liked determine within the UFC, particularly nowadays with thrilling fights. I wouldn’t flip down a struggle with him proper off the bat.”
“I can go in there and add gasoline to that fireside,” he added, referring to the featherweight division. “Throw me in opposition to any a kind of. Unleash me in opposition to among the many lions there.”
