UFC Signs Former Bellator Double Champion Patricio Pitbull

UFC Signs Former Bellator Double Champion Patricio Pitbull

The UFC has signed former Bellator MMA double champion Patricio Pitbull. The 37-year-old is one of the most accomplished fighters in Bellator MMA history. Now, he is with the UFC and has his promotional debut booked for UFC 314 against Yair Rodriguez.

UFC CEO Dana White announced Pitbull’s signing on Instagram Live.

Pitbull has long established himself as one of the best fighters to never fight in the UFC. In Bellator, he tallied a 24-6 record–including two featherweight title runs with seven total title defenses. Amid that run, he defeated Michael Chandler to become a simultaneous two-division champion. He opted to vacate that title to allow his brother, Patricky, to fight for the championship.

In 2023, Pitbull dropped down to bantamweight in an attempt to become the first fighter to win a major championship in three different weight classes; however, Sergio Pettis defeated him to prevent that.

Pitbull’s UFC signing comes after the PFL purchased Bellator MMA. In the wake of the purchase, the PFL has made a lot of changes to the roster. That includes signing regional fighters and former UFC fighters while letting some former Bellator MMA fighters walk.

In all honesty, Pitbull’s UFC signing comes a few years late. At 37, he is already one of the older fighters in the division. That said, it does not mean he cannot have success. At UFC 315, his UFC tenure will be set. If he defeats Yair Rodriguez, he will be knocking on the door of a title fight. If he loses, he will fall into the middle of the UFC featherweight rankings. It will likely be a struggle to climb back into the title picture from that point.

PFL Officially Announces Bellator Purchase

Regardless of his age, Pitbull’s signing comes at a good time. UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is vacating his belt to move up to lightweight. Plus, Max Holloway is heading to lightweight. Pitbull cannot fill those shoes on his own, but an injection of talent is needed.

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