Patricio Pitbull, Bellator 297 press convention Credit score: Jack Dombro/Bellator MMA
Former Bellator MMA double-champ Patricio Pitbull has formally signed with the UFC.
Pitbull (36-7) has lengthy been thought of among the best featherweights exterior the UFC. Reduce from the identical material as Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez within the heyday of Bellator MMA, he turned the de facto face of the promotion after each of these names signed with the UFC.
In more moderen instances, Pitbull has been used as a function attraction, positioned on crossover occasions with RIZIN and booked on the new-look “Bellator Champions Series” towards Jeremy Kennedy earlier this yr. That was a present run by the PFL, who bought their rival simply over a yr in the past. As a result of a scarcity of exercise, nevertheless, the 37-year previous requested (fairly publicly) his launch, which was later granted.
Patricio Pitbull had three reigns as Bellator featherweight champion, and likewise captured light-weight gold within the promotion, later vacating the belt after a logjam fashioned within the weight class. In 2023, he dropped to bantamweight, difficult then-champ Sergio Pettis in an try at changing into a triple-champ. He misplaced a unanimous determination, and was knocked out in his following match-up, basically at light-weight (154lb catchweight) in RIZIN towards Chihiro Suzuki. Pitbull then rebounded with the Kennedy combat.
Welcoming the Brazilian legend to the UFC might be Yair Rodriguez (19-5, 1NC). Ranked #5 at 145lbs, the Mexican star has misplaced his final two bouts, towards Alexander Volkanovski (in a title combat) and Brian Ortega.
UFC 314 takes place on the Kaseya Middle in Miami, Florida on April 12, 2025 with Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes headlining.
