Patricio Pitbull has reigned as Bellator featherweight king for a few years — and even received the light-weight gold by beating Michael Chandler. On high of that, he flew to Japan to beat RIZIN champion Kleber Koike.
Now it’s time for him to compete within the octagon, and his Pitbull Brothers teammate Leandro Higo is assured that he’ll shine within the UFC.
Higo and Pitbull compete this week in Florida, with Higo making his PFL debut in the principle occasion of PFL 2 in Orlando, dealing with off with last-minute alternative Marcirley Alves on April 11. Pitbull enters the octagon for the primary time the next night time, battling Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314.
“I imagine he’ll change into champion within the UFC,” Higo informed MMA Combating. “Each fighter that went from Bellator to the UFC did properly. The one former champion that didn’t do properly within the UFC was Will Brooks. When you have a look at all the opposite Bellator guys, we had Michael Chandler doing properly, Eddie Alvarez changing into champion, and lots of others. Patricio has all it takes to change into champion, and he’s beginning with a superb battle.”
The UFC featherweight belt can be up for grabs in the principle occasion of UFC 314 in Miami, with former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski taking over rising sensation Diego Lopes.
For Higo, a superb efficiency may put Pitbull as the following man in line within the 145-pound class.
“Relying on the efficiency, he might also change into the following challenger, he all all the things to change into champion,” Higo mentioned. “He trains with champions, and he’s one of the best on the earth.”
Higo and Pitbull needed to cut up the group in half as they’re having the ultimate days of preparation 230 miles aside in Florida, however Higo plans on driving to Miami the day after his battle to see Pitbull’s first stroll to the octagon.
“I’ll hit the street to Miami as quickly as my battle is over,” Higo mentioned. “I need to watch Pitbull’s debut. I imagine he knocks him out.”
On Friday, towards his second short-notice alternative, Higo hopes to safe the primary victory on his method to a $500,000 prize on the finish of the PFL bantamweight match. Josh Rettinghouse initially stepped in when Magomed Magomedov withdrew from the lineup, and was then changed by Alves after not being cleared on the morning of the weigh-ins.
“My opponents are all the time altering however if you wish to be a champion it’s important to undergo adversities,” Higo mentioned. “Sadly, now I’ve to battle a Brazilian after each of our opponents did not make weight and he was an alternate.
“I do know him, we’ve fought on the identical card earlier than, however we’re each grown ups and we’ve a job to do. That is my first step within the match and God prepared it’s my first win. After which the second victory, the third, and successful that half one million.”
