Add Bellator featherweight champ Patricio Pitbull to the list of frustrated fighters on the PFL roster.
Pitbull has only competed once under the promotional banner since the PFL absorbed Bellator a year ago — a successful title defense against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Belfast in March. After fellow Bellator champs Corey Anderson and Patchy Mix spoke out about their lack of activity since the merger, Pitbull opened up about his situation on Twitter after the promotion postponed multiple Bellator cards towards the back end of the year.
“I haven’t fought since [March],” Pitbull said. “I wanted to fight [three times] this year, but I was told I’d have to wait until Dec. 31 and found out online my opponent would fight someone else. Then they had a replacement, I bring people over, spend more money with the camp and there’s no fight.
“They said things didn’t work out with Japan and that it wasn’t their fault. OK. So why don’t you stage a show somewhere else? What kind of promotion can’t give fighters at least two fights a year? Some haven’t even fought this year! Bellator used to be BIG. Things worked and we always had answers. They never just cancelled a show and said they had no idea when we would be booked. Even regional promotions have dates set for April of next year already!
This merger has been a disaster to the sport of MMA. Meanwhile, we have to see the top brass talking about offering tens of millions of dollars to social media personalities and semi-retired fighters,while cutting 90 percent of the roster and telling guys making [$30,000 to show, $30,000 to win] they’re too expensive. How can you become No. 1 in the world if you don’t stage events and don’t want to pay fighters?”
During a Town Hall Q&A with MMA Fighting, PFL’s Donn Davis said the postponed events would be rescheduled under a newly revamped Championship Series. It was announced that Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes would headline a Jan. 25 event, launching their updated series in Dubai. Davis also said most of the fan-favorite fighters would be rebooked for upcoming cards.
Pitbull is widely considered to be the greatest fighter in Bellator history, winning titles in multiple weight classes over his 30-fight run. The 37-year-old holds wins over Michael Chandler, A.J. McKee, Juan Archuleta, and many more throughout his sensational career.
At his age, Pitbull has more left in the tank, but also understands his competitive window is closing.
“I am very worried about the future of Bellator and MMA in general,” Pitbull explained. “I feel very sorry for all the fighters who didn’t even get to fight this year or were cut because they just don’t make shows or think they’re expensive, and all the fighters who were forced to take pay cuts.
“This is wrong. We need answers, we need the fighters and fans to be respected. This is not a game or just some business, these are people’s lives we are talking about. A serious promotion would give fighters the chance to fight at least three times a year if they’re healthy.”
