Former two-weight Bellator MMA champion, Patricio Pitbull appears to already have an opponent in mind for a potential UFC debut following his viral release with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) after a long-time spat, issuing a cryptic call out to former featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski.
Pitbull, a former undisputed Bellator MMA lightweight and featherweight champion during his lengthy tenure with the former Scott Coker-led promotion, was granted his release from the PFL overnight by co-founder, Donn Davis.
Hitting a brief snag, Patricio Pitbull claimed the promotion retained matching rights, which would effectively allow the PFL to match any offer the Brazilian receives from a new promotion, and just sign him to a contract again, before then scratching those rights and allowing his full release.
And long-linked with a potential move to the UFC during his entire title reigns with the expectedly now-defunct, Bellator MMA, Pitbull has played up a possible transition to the Octagon in recent months amid his activity dispute with the PFL.
Patricio Pitbull sets sights on Alexander Volkanovski after PFL exit
Overnight, amid his release, links to a UFC move only began to heat up further — with the 37-year-old Brazilian star issuing a cryptic call out of sorts to former promotional pound-for-pound number one, Volkanovski.
“Hi @alexvolkanovski,” Patirico Pitbull posted on his official X account overnight.
Himself sidelined since he dropped a thunderous knockout loss to current unbeaten featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria in February of last year — which came as his second consecutive stoppage defeat via strikes, Volkanovski is hot on the heels of an immediate rematch with the Georgian-Spaniard.
Himself yet to enter the cage since March of last year, Brazilian superstar, Patricio Pitbull most recently racked up yet another featherweight title defense in the main event of Bellator Champions Series 1 — stopping contender, Jeremy Kennedy with a third round knockout win.