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 gained and defended — however is sad with what the corporate has turn out to be since merging with the Skilled Fighters League. Sitting on the sidelines since March after being promised an enormous combat 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 massive for them, and so they don’t know how one can 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 in the end postponed. The brand new date, deliberate for January, won’t embrace Combine vs. Higo.
“We had 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 unhealthy for me as a champion. I want to remain lively. We all know I’m not getting any youthful, too. So I spoke with my managers and since my contract just isn’t that lengthy, it’s near the top, we’ll ask to go away. I must work.”
Pitbull declined to specify how bouts or how a lot time he has left in his present take care of 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 might have an effect on his legacy. Part of Bellator since its fifteenth card again in 2010, Pitbull mentioned his No. 1 purpose can be to affix the octagon.
“I’ve to combat within the UFC,” Pitbull mentioned. “I’ve to face these guys. I see myself doing a very good job there. I don’t see something very particular there. I can combat anybody there, even the champion. [Ilia Topuria] has some holes we will benefit from. I’m certain they assume 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 towards 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 happy and may converse and be heard all over the world, I believe it might look unhealthy, even. They know they’re within the fallacious, and I hope we will come to an settlement and so they launch me. I must combat and proceed my legacy.”
MMA veteran Gegard Mousasi has complained about lack of fights and in the end 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.
“Principally, Douglas Lima and my brother [Patricky Pitbull], the high-caliber guys of the group, they both re-signed with their purse minimize in half or they might be minimize,” Pitbull mentioned. “That was principally compelled, you recognize? [PFL co-owner] Donn Davis mentioned early within the merge that that might not occur, but it surely 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 combat with Topuria, very like RIZIN champion Kai Asakura taking over 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 prime of the featherweight class, naming Movsar Evloev, Diego Lopes, Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega as supreme 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 preferred determine within the UFC, particularly nowadays with thrilling fights. I wouldn’t flip down a combat with him proper off the bat.”
“I can go in there and add gas to that fireplace,” he added, referring to the featherweight division. “Throw me towards any a type of. Unleash me towards among the many lions there.”
