Patricio Pitbull was granted his full launch from PFL on Jan. 15 earlier than partaking in a month-long negotiation with the UFC. He now will get to stay “a novel second in my profession” signing for his first octagon bout with Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314 in Miami, Fla., on April 12.
In response to the previous Bellator two-division champion, nevertheless, that was not the primary choice thrown his method.
The 37-year-old veteran, who knocked out Jeremy Kennedy to defend his featherweight title in his last Bellator bout again in March 2024, informed MMA Preventing the UFC supplied him many potential choices earlier than lastly getting an opponent to agree.
“It was arduous as a result of they didn’t sound very excited at first,” Pitbull mentioned. “There was a gathering with [Jorge Guimarães] ‘Joinha’ and Ed [Soares] and the UFC. One [UFC person] wished it, one other didn’t, and one tried to persuade the opposite. ‘Joinha’ mentioned to me, ‘Brother, belief me, it is going to work out ultimately.’ And out of a sudden they requested if I’d combat Aljamain Sterling in March. I mentioned I’m in, however he ran. He mentioned he wanted extra time to combat, that he would solely have the ability to combat in April.
“Then they supplied me Yair Rodriguez, however he didn’t reply. I messaged him in non-public. ‘What’s up brother, will you combat or not? The place’s your Mexican delight?’ Teased him just a little bit. He mentioned it could be very gratifying to welcome me to the group. However when the UFC contacted him, he turned it down and requested for a ranked opponent.
“Cool, UFC gave him Arnold Allen. I informed ‘Joinha’ to remain on it as a result of Arnold Allen would pull out from this combat. He would most likely get injured. We all know that when somebody takes a combat on such brief discover, and he doesn’t have an entire camp, most guys keep away from that. And with the intention to keep away from saying no to the UFC, they take it after which ‘get damage.’ ‘Joinha’ texted [the UFC] and mentioned I’d be prepared.”
Within the meantime, Pitbull mentioned he was supplied to step in as a late-notice substitute towards Steve Garcia on Feb. 22, stepping in after Edson Barboza suffered an harm, however the 10-day window would make it not possible for him to get a visa to combat in the US.
All these affords occurred earlier than Patricio even signed a contract with the UFC.
“I stored coaching with Yair Rodriguez in thoughts,” Pitbull mentioned. “They mentioned Dana White was going to announce the combat final evening after which [Rodriguez] must take it. And that’s what occurred. Let’s see if he’ll keep on the combat or get injured [laughs].”
Pitbull mentioned “there was no greatest match-up” for him to debut within the UFC as he’s going through a top-ranked 145-pounder on the identical card. Alexander Volkanovski battles Diego Lopes for the undisputed featherweight belt. Ilia Topuria vacated the title to maneuver as much as the light-weight division.
“I’m joyful that at this stage of my profession, 37 years outdated, I’m capable of enter the world’s largest group in a high combat in my weight class,” Pitbull mentioned. “That places me on the next stage, extra related. I’m pleased with that. It’s additionally a recognition that I can do it. The truth is, a definitive victory may imply I’m combating for the title subsequent.”
The Brazilian made a reputation for himself as the best champion in Bellator historical past with gold belts at featherweight and light-weight, and ensures there’s no additional strain competing in entrance of a bigger viewers within the UFC.
“Many individuals noticed [my wins] however doubt the opponents I’ve confronted, even the blokes with extraordinary data,” Pitbull mentioned. “I’ve that as motivation. My expertise doesn’t let me deal with it as strain. Fairly the other. I exploit that as motivation to go there and tear him aside. That’s what pitbulls do, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Open to compete in any division from bantamweight all the way in which as much as welterweight, if the identify thrown his method is smart, Pitbull stays focuses on beating Rodriguez and incomes a shot on the winner of Volkanovski vs. Lopes.
“[Lopes] is new blood, he’s explosive and hungry,” Pitbull mentioned. “Volkanovski doesn’t have the identical chin anymore. He’s an advanced man to combat, he jumps round and has many feints, and Diego Lopes must keep away from that type of technique. And if there’s a Brazil vs. Brazil combat for the title subsequent, it’s an honor for me, no drawback.
“I got here right here to combat for the title. I don’t need to be one other man that got here into the group and had an unsuccessful profession. We all know that may occur, however we’ll do our greatest to come back right here at our greatest. I’m very assured.”
