Former two-weight Bellator MMA champion, Patricio Pitbull continues to play up a move to the UFC in the immediate aftermath of his release from the PFL — claiming he wants the promotion’s featherweight title following his overnight call out of ex-champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Pitbull, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight gold holder under the banner of Bellator MMA, received his official release from the PFL (Professional Fighters League) overnight, with co-founder, Donn Davis posting on his X account confirming the Brazilian’s departure from the SmartCage.
And sidelined from active competition — which he found issues with, since March of last year, Natal native, Pitbull most recently defended the Bellator MMA featherweight crown in a third round knockout win over Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Champions Series 1.
Overnight, following his release from the PFL, Pitbull issued a cryptic call out of sorts to former undisputed UFC featherweight kingpin, Volkanovski — with the Australian yet to return since his devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria last February.
Patricio Pitbull eyes Ilia Topuria and Diego Lopes in potential move to the UFC
And discussing his immediate future this evening, Patricio Pitbull revealed he plans to capture the featherweight crown if he makes good on a rumored move to the UFC — welcoming fights against the likes of the above-mentioned, Volkanovski and Topuria, as well as surging challenger, Diego Lopes.
“Let’s do that fight [with Alexander Volkanovski],” Patricio Pitbull told Ariel Helwani for Uncrowned. “Here’s the number one contender, I want that belt, and here’s the guy. Yes, I would score him number one — no, (Ilia) Topuria is my top choice. Diego Lopes. He’s a good one [fight].”
During the course of his decorated run with Bellator MMA, Pitbull would turn in notable victories over the likes of Wilson Reis, Pat Curran, Daniel Strauss, Henry Corrales, Michael Chandler, Juan Archuleta, A.J. McKee, Adam Borics, and Kleber Koike Erbst.