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Bellator featherweight champion Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire recently opened up about the reports surrounding the promotion's future and expressed interest in joining the UFC.
The Brazilian is regarded by many as the greatest fighter in the promotion's history and could possibly be in a position where he could explore free agency. During his appearance on Trocacao Franca, he mentioned that he would be interested in pursuing a move to the UFC if Bellator is sold to the PFL:
"Well, I'm 36-years-old, I'm the biggest record holder in the organization I love...It looks like Bellator is really going to be taken over by another organization. I will fulfill my agreement, I will see what proposals will be on the table, but I think my career deserves a trip to the UFC." [h/t Torcedores]
Patricio 'Pitbull' has accomplished a great deal in the promotion as he is currently the reigning featherweight champion and also a former lightweight champion, which he won by defeating Michael Chandler. Based on the current circumstances, the Brazilian mentioned that now might be the time to finally pursue a move, saying:
"I don't rule out [a departure from Bellator], I see it positively, I think now is the time, it's the only time. I didn't want to say goodbye to Bellator like that, but I understand the moment." [h/t Torcedores]
It remains to be seen whether Patricio 'Pitbull' will have the option of re-negotiating his contract should PFL purchase the promotion or if he would be granted a release due to his great relationship with Bellator.
Patricio 'Pitbull' has been an active fighter for Bellator
Despite not having defended his Bellator featherweight championship in almost a year, Patricio 'Pitbull' has been quite active.
The Brazilian represented the promotion during the Bellator vs. Rizin event on New Year's Eve last year, where he earned a unanimous decision win over then-Rizin featherweight champion Kleber Koike Erbst. This past June, he was unsuccessful in his quest to become a three-division champion as he lost a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis.
Despite the loss at 135lbs, the 36-year-old made a quick turnaround and accepted a 154lb catchweight fight against Chihiro Suzuki on less than a week's notice at Super Rizin 2. He lost the bout via first-round knockout and most recently underwent surgery, which will keep him out of action for the time being.
