Former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull has sent a message after joining the UFC.
The Brazilian was one of the key faces of the Bellator brand for well over a decade. From 2010 to 2024, Patricio Pitbull racked up title defense after title defense, and title after title. During his tenure with Scott Coker, he scored victories over names such as A.J. McKee, Michael Chandler, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Wilson Reis.
He was last seen in the cage last March, scoring a knockout win over UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy. After that bout, Patricio Pitbull was famously kept on the sidelines and eventually requested a release from the PFL. After some back-and-forth with company founder Donn Davis, the Brazilian was granted his release.
Quickly, Patricio Pitbull called for the opportunity to sign with Dana White and the UFC. While it took some time, the former Bellator star has gotten his wish. Last night, White took to social media to reveal Pitbullās signing, and the UFC 314 card as a whole. In April, the Brazilian star will travel to Miami to face Yair Rodriguez.
Former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull speaks after signing with the UFC
Not long after Dana White released his video to social media, Patricio Pitbull took to X with a post of his own. Last night, the Brazilian sent a message to the UFC featherweight division, stating that āyour future king has arrivedā. Just based on the post, itās clear that Pitbull is as confident as ever heading into his promotional debut.
However, the 37-year-old will have his hands with the ever-entertaining Yair Rodriguez. For his part, āEl Panteraā hasnāt been seen in the cage since a clash with Brian Ortega last February at UFC Mexico City. Despite hurting āT-Cityā badly in round one, Rodriguez was taken down and submitted in the second round.
Nonetheless, Patricio Pitbull will need to hand the striker his third loss in a row to earn a potential UFC title shot. Before signing with Dana White, the Brazilian repeatedly called for a fight with Alexander Volkanovski. If āThe Greatā and Pitbull can both earn wins in May, he may get his wish.
I think heās too old to make a serious title run but Iām excited to see what he does. Damn so many fighters coming in now that I would have loved to see in the UFC 5-6 years ago.
This
I got Yair on this fight. He is pretty much in his prime. Pitbull is 10 years past his prime. I think Putbull in his prime would have a hard time vs Yair
His Brother fighting in FC today
Him and his brother should have both signed with the UFC a decade ago, or at least in 2019 when they re-upped with Bellator.
Looking forward to see how he does. Lots of mileage on him but still a game fighter.
Patricio Freire finally made his Octagon debut.
Unfortunately, āPitbullā was unable to claim victory against former title challenger and No. 5-ranked featherweight Yair Rodriguez as part of last weekendās UFC 314 pay-per-view (PPV) main card at Kaseya Center in Miami.
I missed this fight. Did Pitbull look bad, or did Yair look really good?
A little of both.
I wanna see him fight Chandler again.
#BellatorNeverDie
I posted in the big 314 thread but like JL said a little of both. Yair looked really good and Pitbull looked okay, just a little gunshy. When he did let his hands go he was landing, even got a takedown or two, not great control but they had some good exchanges on the ground. Technical but a good fight.
Had a decent armbar attempt
I really like both Pitbull brothers and wish they had come to UFC earlier.