One of the faces of Bellator could leave the promotion soon.
Patricio Pitbull holds many records in Bellator history — including most fights, most wins, and most belts won and defended — but is unhappy with what the company has become since merging with the Professional Fighters League. Sitting on the sidelines since March after being promised a big fight on New Years Eve, Pitbull has had enough.
“PFL guys seem a bit lost there,” Pitbull said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Looks like Bellator is a bit too big for them, and they don’t know how to act properly.”
Pitbull said he was promised a rematch with RIZIN lightweight champion Chihiro Suzuki in Japan on Dec. 31 right after his knockout win over Jeremy Kennedy, but the contract was never sent. Six weeks before the date of the show and already in camp in Brazil, Pitbull was informed that Aaron Pico would be his new opponent. Yet, the plan once again did not go through.
Other Bellator athletes, including his teammate Leandro Higo, have also complained about lack of fights. Higo was scheduled to face Patchy Mix for the bantamweight title in December, but the show was ultimately postponed. The new date, planned for January, will not include Mix vs. Higo.
“We were left with only promises,” Pitbull said. “We lost rhythm, we lost part of our careers waiting for something that never came. It’s bad for me as a champion. I need to stay active. We know I’m not getting any younger, too. So I spoke with my managers and since my contract is not that long, it’s close to the end, we’ll ask to leave. I need to work.”
Patricio Pitbull asks for Bellator release due to inactivity: ‘They know they’re in the wrong’ - MMA Fighting
