Bellator’s top star, Patricio Pitbull, is now struggling under PFL’s ownership. The featherweight champion isn’t a fan of how PFL boss Donn Davis is managing the company and their respective contracts. As a result, the Brazilian is eager to join UFC and leave the PFL as soon as possible.
Recently, Pitbull and PFL founder Donn Davis engaged in a heated exchange on social media. Pitbull openly criticized the PFL for failing to fulfill its promises, particularly regarding the number of fights under his contract. In the latest tweet, he doubled down on his intentions to leave the promotion.
My management team had a call with @PeteMurrayPFL tonight and despite making clear my desire to leave and some of my reasons, even noticing my contract is up in May, @pflmma won’t let me go and intends to hold me there against my will.
Patricio Pitbull via X
The fighter also expressed that his contract runs out in May, but the PFL wants him to fight in April, which he doesn’t want. The fighter posted multiple tweets explaining his disappointment with PFL’s top brass and plans to move. According to Pitbull, he has honored his contract and expects the same from the PFL.
My management team had a call with @PeteMurrayPFL tonight and despite making clear my desire to leave and some of my reasons, even noticing my contract is up in May, @pflmma won’t let me go and intends to hold me there against my will. @arielhelwani @DonnDavisPFL (1/4)
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) December 24, 2024
These developments highlight significant challenges in the integration of Bellator into the PFL framework. This raises questions about the organization’s management and its ability to fulfill commitments to its roster of fighters. It is everything that UFC CEO Dana White had predicted a few months back.
Dana White talks about Patricio Pitbull’s situation with PFL
Due to the PFL’s quick expansion and competition with the UFC, Dana White and Donn Davis, the PFL’s founder, have a bitter rivalry. Davis challenges the UFC’s dominance with ideas like the season system and a fighter-friendly environment. White, on the other hand, frequently downplays the PFL’s significance.
Dana White and Donn Davis (via X)Their altercation represents the struggle for MMA dominance, in which UFC is clearly ahead. While Davis and the PFL have tried their best this year, they have also faced a few criticisms, like the Patricio Pitbull situation. Earlier this month, White talked about it in detail.
They’re canceling a lot of shows, I know that a lot of guys that are supposed to fight aren’t fighting and I mean, you guys know what the fu*k’s going on. When you see that start to happen, you’re running out of money, things aren’t looking good. You’re gonna have people that want to jump ship.
Dana White via UFC 310 post-fight presser
Pitbull has expressed his intentions to move to UFC and fight top featherweights such as Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes, Ilia Topuria, etc. According to the fighter, he wants to strengthen his legacy by becoming a UFC champion. It would be interesting to see how both PFL and Pitbull sort out this situation.
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