LAS VEGAS—Patricio Pitbull is able to make a press release in his UFC debut.
The previous two-division champion steps into the octagon for the primary time at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, the place he takes on one-time interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. Pitbull competes for the primary time since being granted his launch from PFL this previous January after he publicly known as for the league to permit him to grow to be a free agent.
Pitbull, 37, now finds himself in prime place to make a reputation for himself in a brand new place, and that begins with placing on a present in opposition to Rodriguez.
“He’s very dynamic, however I’ve an influence and I’m going to smash him,” Pitbull informed MMA Combating’s José Youngs throughout a media scrum.
Throughout his time with Bellator, previous to the model being acquired by PFL in 2023, Pitbull turned the face of the promotion with a number of title reigns and defenses at 145 kilos, and a light-weight title win in 2019. He holds a 36-7 report as a professional, giving him loads of credibility ought to the UFC determine to fast-track him to a championship bout.
On the high of UFC 314, former champion Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for a vacant featherweight belt within the wake of Ilia Topuria vacating his title to maneuver as much as light-weight. Pitbull feels it’s no coincidence his debut is a part of the identical lineup.
“The UFC didn’t say something, however I really feel the cardboard they put me on, the place they put me in, they’re actually aligning me to probably be a contender within the featherweight division,” Pitbull mentioned through a Portuguese translator.
Rodriguez is at present No. 5 within the UFC’s official featherweight rankings, so Pitbull presumably claims that spot with a win on April 12. If that additionally vaults him into an instantaneous title shot, he’ll be fast to signal on the dotted line.
“I’m all the time prepared,” Pitbull mentioned. “We win that struggle, [whoever wins the main event], I’m going to face, no downside. However I do know it depends upon my subsequent struggle. I do know my place, however I’m going to take that belt, you’ll see.”
