Will disgruntled Bellator fighters stick with PFL in 2025 after a turbulent 2024 without enough events?
The PFL came into 2024 off the big news that they had acquired Bellator, and many hoped that would mean more big fights with big names as the promotion combined the roster. Instead it’s been a big mess for those stuck on the Bellator side of roster, which was kept largely separate to fulfil existing broadcast obligations.
There’s multiple current Bellator champions in open revolt after a year without enough fights, and now another face of the promotion is angling to bounce. In a new interview with MMA Junkie, Aaron Pico’s manager said the freestyle wrestling standout is now a free agent and considering a move.
“Pico’s contract ran out. Pico right now is a free agent,” Ali Abdelaziz said. “I’m going to do everything I can to help these guys become successful, but I’m also going to do everything I can to make sure my fights stay regularly competing and have fights, because if they do not have fights, they cannot buy that time back.”
I read @PFLMMA has “exceeded” @PatricioPitbull contract.. idk if it’s true or not. But I know for a fact they have not fulfilled my 6 fight/2 years contract signed Oct 22′, which turned to 3 years after winning the belt. I STILL have 3 fights left @DonnDavisPFL #mma #letsgo #2025 pic.twitter.com/fHuN89RD4I
— Corey ‘Overtime’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) December 25, 2024
Pico was supposed to fight Patricio “Pitbull” Freire as part of a Bellator X Rizin NYE card that fell apart, leaving him with just one fight in 2024 — a first round KO of Henry Corrales at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February.
“I’m sure the UFC wants him, I’m sure PFL wants to keep him,” Abdelaziz added. “Pico’s a businessman. Pico likes money. UFC, of course he would love to become a UFC champion, but if PFL can offer me a deal I can’t refuse, then he’s going to take it. But if he said, ‘I want to go to the UFC,’ I have to go get an offer from the UFC and PFL can have the right to match it.”
PFL chairman Donn Davis responded to the article soon after.
2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation …
?@PFLMMA? has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at #PFL for the long-term. https://t.co/JMP5OCjK4P
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) January 1, 2025
“2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation,” Davis began. “PFL has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at PFL for the long-term.”
Donn is likely referring to all the talk of PFL’s imminent demise. With Bellator fighters struggling to get bookings and no firm calendar dates announced for 2025, things are looking sketchier than they ever have for the tournament-based promotion. His silence as Bellator champions complained of a lack of fights and communication didn’t help.
The worst thing you can do to a fighter other than stiff them on payment is to sign them and not fight them. It doesn’t matter how generous PFL’s offer per fight is to Pico if he’s unsure the PFL will actually give him fights. It’s going to take some serious work to erase the bad taste all this Bellator business has left in the mouths of fighters.