Bellator Champs Patrício Pitbull, Patchy Mix Request PFL Release: ‘They Don’t Know How To Act’

Two of the biggest names that the PFL acquired in the Bellator deal have recently voiced their frustrations with not being offered fights. Both Patrício Pitbull and Patchy Mix are reigning Bellator champions who have recently had upcoming bouts cancelled and they don’t seem happy with the communication that has taken place. Pitbull hasn’t fought […]

Two of the biggest names that the PFL acquired in the Bellator deal have recently voiced their frustrations with not being offered fights. Both Patrício Pitbull and Patchy Mix are reigning Bellator champions who have recently had upcoming bouts cancelled and they don’t seem happy with the communication that has taken place.

Pitbull hasn’t fought since March where after finishing Jeremy Kennedy, he says he was told that he would be able to return to RIZIN for a rematch with Chihiro Suzuki to try and get his revenge. He also claims that he was then told he would be fighting Aaron Pico instead but this has also not materialized for him.

As for the bantamweight champion Mix, he defended his title in May and was recently preparing for another title defence against Leandro Higo in November but since that event was postponed, he says that he hasn’t received word on when he will receive his next outing. Posting on X, Mix vented his frustrations and said that similarly to what has happened with other big names like Gegard Mousasi, he would like to be released if they don’t have any plans for him in the near future.

“My manager told me to hold off but haven’t heard anything from PFLMMA DonnDavisPFL If you are not gonna have me fight then just please release me from contract. This is not what I want but if I’m not important to the company being a multi time champ. Then let me go respectfully”

Pitbull made similar statements in a recent interview with MMA Fighting where he criticized the way that the promotion has handled the Bellator fighters since the acquisition last year.

“PFL guys seem a bit lost there. Looks like Bellator is a bit too big for them, and they don’t know how to act properly.”

Pitbull, like Mix, just wants to be active and he believes that leaving the PFL is the best way for him to do that at this stage in his career.

“We were left with only promises. 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.

“Basically, Douglas Lima and my brother [Patricky Pitbull], the high-caliber guys of the organization, they either re-signed with their purse cut in half or they would be cut. That was basically forced, you know? Donn Davis said early in the merge that that would not happen, but it happened. We know the organization has valued semi-retired fighters and internet celebrities more than actual fighters that put on a show.”

Bellator Champions Slam PFL Amid Forced Inactivity: ‘This Merger Has Been A Disaster For MMA!’

Some of the top Bellator names who found themselves under the PFL banner last year are far from happy with their new employer. The PFL attempted to strengthen its standing in mixed martial arts and its pursuit of achieving “co-leader” status alongside the UFC by purchasing the Bellator MMA organization late last year. The promotion has […]

Some of the top Bellator names who found themselves under the PFL banner last year are far from happy with their new employer.

The PFL attempted to strengthen its standing in mixed martial arts and its pursuit of achieving “co-leader” status alongside the UFC by purchasing the Bellator MMA organization late last year.

The promotion has since staged its first PFL vs. Bellator card, commenced global and regional seasons, and opened up a “reimagined” version of the brand it acquired in the form of the Bellator Champions Series.

While that has brought with it some entertaining cards and fights, things have been far from entirely positive for the PFL in 2024.  In attempting to separate itself from the UFC, PFL higher-ups have frequently claimed to be “fighter first” and an improved home for athletes compared to its rival. This year, though, has seen numerous fighters share their issues. 

Sabah Homasi repeatedly bemoaned the lack of payment to cover his medical expenses from a Bellator fight last September. Prior to her debut in October, Cris Cyborg frequently slammed the PFL online for not booking her. Gegard Mousasi and Douglas Lima claimed the organization was refusing to honor their contracts because they earn too much money, with the former even commencing legal proceedings against the company following his subsequent release.

Those instances suggest the PFL’s purchase has left some Bellator fighters worse off, and the ongoing forced inactivity experienced by many is doing little to dismiss that suggestion.

One champion who feels hard done by is bantamweight standout Patchy Mix. Since defending his title against Magomed Magomedov in Paris this past May, “No Love” hasn’t made it back to the cage.

While he was scheduled for a return to the French capital this month, that event was among those suddenly canceled with little explanation. And in a post on X, Mix claimed a planned rescheduling of his return for January has also now been called off.

“I’ve been training my ass off for the last half of year for nothing,” Mix wrote. “This is frustrating in the prime of my career and I’ve had my fight in November cancelled? Then now again I’m being told I’m off January Dubai card? I am the best in the world and I want to fight to prove it.”

It didn’t take long for another champ to share that sentiment — this time the consensus Bellator GOAT, Patrício “Pitbull” Freire, who is without a fight since March.

“I haven’t fought since February. I wanted to fight 3x this year, but I was told I’d have to wait until December 31st and found out online my opponent would fight someone else. Then they had a replacement, I bring people over, spend more money with the camp and there’s no fight.”

In follow-up posts, the Brazilian went as far as to brand the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator as a “disaster” for the sport of MMA.

And it wasn’t just champions showing discontent this past weekend.

The man scheduled to challenge Mix this month prior to the unexplained cancellation, Leandro Higo, also took to social media to express his fury with the PFL after seeing his opponent speak out.

“This is very frustrating. We have no clue about when we might be fighting after two fight cancellations in a row. Time is of the essence in this game, we can’t waste our primes on the sidelines. I’m working hard to take that title, spending money, sweat and blood. What’s going on?”

When announcing its plans for this year, the PFL laid out eight Bellator Champions Series events and promised two championship contests on each. But it’s ultimately only put on five, the most recent being in London this past September, and filled the outlined quota of champions on just one of those cards.

It remains to be seen what the PFL has planned for the likes of Mix and Freire in 2025 — and for the rest of those who were hoping to compete on the now-scrapped Bellator Champions Series events in the back end of this year.

For now, the promotion will be focusing on a successful return to Saudi Arabia this week for its PFL World Championship and PFL MENA Championship shows in Riyadh.

But as another year comes to a close for the organization, it’s safe to say things haven’t gone as hoped since the purchase of Bellator, especially for the high-profile fighters who came with it.

Bellator Champions Slam PFL Amid Forced Inactivity: ‘This Merger Has Been A Disaster For MMA!’

Some of the top Bellator names who found themselves under the PFL banner last year are far from happy with their new employer. The PFL attempted to strengthen its standing in mixed martial arts and its pursuit of achieving “co-leader” status alongside the UFC by purchasing the Bellator MMA organization late last year. The promotion has […]

Some of the top Bellator names who found themselves under the PFL banner last year are far from happy with their new employer.

The PFL attempted to strengthen its standing in mixed martial arts and its pursuit of achieving “co-leader” status alongside the UFC by purchasing the Bellator MMA organization late last year.

The promotion has since staged its first PFL vs. Bellator card, commenced global and regional seasons, and opened up a “reimagined” version of the brand it acquired in the form of the Bellator Champions Series.

While that has brought with it some entertaining cards and fights, things have been far from entirely positive for the PFL in 2024.  In attempting to separate itself from the UFC, PFL higher-ups have frequently claimed to be “fighter first” and an improved home for athletes compared to its rival. This year, though, has seen numerous fighters share their issues. 

Sabah Homasi repeatedly bemoaned the lack of payment to cover his medical expenses from a Bellator fight last September. Prior to her debut in October, Cris Cyborg frequently slammed the PFL online for not booking her. Gegard Mousasi and Douglas Lima claimed the organization was refusing to honor their contracts because they earn too much money, with the former even commencing legal proceedings against the company following his subsequent release.

Those instances suggest the PFL’s purchase has left some Bellator fighters worse off, and the ongoing forced inactivity experienced by many is doing little to dismiss that suggestion.

One champion who feels hard done by is bantamweight standout Patchy Mix. Since defending his title against Magomed Magomedov in Paris this past May, “No Love” hasn’t made it back to the cage.

While he was scheduled for a return to the French capital this month, that event was among those suddenly canceled with little explanation. And in a post on X, Mix claimed a planned rescheduling of his return for January has also now been called off.

“I’ve been training my ass off for the last half of year for nothing,” Mix wrote. “This is frustrating in the prime of my career and I’ve had my fight in November cancelled? Then now again I’m being told I’m off January Dubai card? I am the best in the world and I want to fight to prove it.”

It didn’t take long for another champ to share that sentiment — this time the consensus Bellator GOAT, Patrício “Pitbull” Freire, who is without a fight since March.

“I haven’t fought since February. I wanted to fight 3x this year, but I was told I’d have to wait until December 31st and found out online my opponent would fight someone else. Then they had a replacement, I bring people over, spend more money with the camp and there’s no fight.”

In follow-up posts, the Brazilian went as far as to brand the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator as a “disaster” for the sport of MMA.

And it wasn’t just champions showing discontent this past weekend.

The man scheduled to challenge Mix this month prior to the unexplained cancellation, Leandro Higo, also took to social media to express his fury with the PFL after seeing his opponent speak out.

“This is very frustrating. We have no clue about when we might be fighting after two fight cancellations in a row. Time is of the essence in this game, we can’t waste our primes on the sidelines. I’m working hard to take that title, spending money, sweat and blood. What’s going on?”

When announcing its plans for this year, the PFL laid out eight Bellator Champions Series events and promised two championship contests on each. But it’s ultimately only put on five, the most recent being in London this past September, and filled the outlined quota of champions on just one of those cards.

It remains to be seen what the PFL has planned for the likes of Mix and Freire in 2025 — and for the rest of those who were hoping to compete on the now-scrapped Bellator Champions Series events in the back end of this year.

For now, the promotion will be focusing on a successful return to Saudi Arabia this week for its PFL World Championship and PFL MENA Championship shows in Riyadh.

But as another year comes to a close for the organization, it’s safe to say things haven’t gone as hoped since the purchase of Bellator, especially for the high-profile fighters who came with it.

MMA News Today: Ryan Garcia Announces That He Will Be In Attendance At RIZIN Following Exhibition Rumours, Sean O’Malley Labels Conor McGregor A ‘Drug Addict’ In Recent Social Media Spat, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 23, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Ryan Garcia Announces His Attendance For SuperRIZIN 3 This Weekend Amidst Exhibition Rumours Ryan Garcia has sent out a message via the RIZIN social media channels to announce […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Ryan Garcia Announces That He Will Be In Attendance At RIZIN Following Exhibition Rumours, Sean O’Malley Labels Conor McGregor A ‘Drug Addict’ In Recent Social Media Spat, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 23, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Garcia sends a message to the Japanese fans
  • O’Malley fires back at McGregor and pulls no punches
  • Patchy Mix headlines Paris again on November 16

Ryan Garcia Announces His Attendance For SuperRIZIN 3 This Weekend Amidst Exhibition Rumours

Ryan Garcia has sent out a message via the RIZIN social media channels to announce that he will be in attendance at SuperRIZIN 3 this weekend.

The Japanese promotion returns to Saitama Super Arena on July 28 where boxing star Manny Pacquiao will be in action against Rukiya Anpo.

Garcia, who has been extremely controversial both before and after his recent fight with Devin Haney, has been recently rumoured to have been given permission from Golden Boy to compete in an exhibition on RIZIN later this year.

The video sees Garcia sending a message to the Japanese fans, when you can hear him over what appears to be construction work taking place in the background.

“Hello, Ryan Garcia here. My announcement is this. I’m heading to Japan. Heading to Japan because I’m going to be at the RIZIN event and I know they’re making noise but guess what? I go louder, I go harder and I cannot wait to meet all my fans in Japan. Arigato from my heart to your heart, I love you. I’mma learn how to say I love you in Japanese. I’mma tell every Japan I love them, konnichiwa.”

Sean O’Malley Unloads On Conor McGregor In Recent Social Media Exchange

After they seemingly settled the beef not long ago, Conor McGregor couldn’t resist taking another slight dig at UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley.

He quoted a post on X with a laughing face emoji that spoke about O’Malley pointing to a recent finding regarding how Ostarine can be transferred through sweat to explain his previous positive drug test results.

“Sugar” didn’t take long to reply and when he did, he appeared to sever any chance of rebuilding this bridge with “The Notorious”.

A pair of back-to-back posts made reference to McGregor’s current form inside the Octagon, UFC 303 withdrawal and referred to him a “drug addict” who “needs rehab”.

Suffice to say that the former UFC champ champ is not going to take these comments lightly.

Bellator Champions Series Announces Patchy Mix & ‘Baki’ For Paris Event On November 16

The Bellator Champions Series is heading back to Paris on November 16 and so is the bantamweight champion Patchy Mix.

He was last in action this past May where he closed the show at the French capital by defending his title via a controversial split decision win over Magomed Magomedov.

Mix is now set to return for the second time this year when he faces Brazil’s Leandro Higo who is coming off of back-to-back wins.

The co-main has also been announced with former Cédric Doumbé opponent Baissangour “Baki” Chamsoudinov finally making his return as he looks to stay undefeated against Sweden’s Oliver Enkamp.

Read more on the story here.

For more MMA news, check out:

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Ryan Garcia Announces That He Will Be In Attendance At RIZIN Following Exhibition Rumours, Sean O’Malley Labels Conor McGregor A ‘Drug Addict’ In Recent Social Media Spat, & More at MMA News.

Patchy Mix Main Events Bellator Champions Series Paris On Nov. 16, ‘Baki’ Co-Headlines

For the second time this year, Patchy Mix will put his Bellator bantamweight title on the line in the French capital. After unifying the titles and securing undisputed status with a submission of Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301 last November, Mix returned for his first defense — and first appearance following the PFL’s acquisition of […]

Continue Reading Patchy Mix Main Events Bellator Champions Series Paris On Nov. 16, ‘Baki’ Co-Headlines at MMA News.

For the second time this year, Patchy Mix will put his Bellator bantamweight title on the line in the French capital.

After unifying the titles and securing undisputed status with a submission of Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301 last November, Mix returned for his first defense — and first appearance following the PFL’s acquisition of his organization — this past May.

At the second Bellator Champions Series event, the 30-year-old retained possession of his gold by narrow margins inside Paris’ Accor Arena, falling on the right side of a split decision verdict in a rematch against Magomed Magomedov.

He’ll be looking for a more definitive victory when he returns to France this November, where a first-time matchup with Brazil’s Leandro Higo awaits him at the Adidas Arena.

The Bellator main event was announced in a PFL press release this week, alongside a co-headliner between Oliver Enkamp and the highly regarded and undefeated Baissangour “Baki” Chamsoudinov, who look set to be the main attraction for the home crowd.

Mix vs. Higo Headlines In Paris, ‘Baki’ Makes Bellator Champions Series Debut

When Mix and “Baki” appear in the headline positions on November 16, both will be looking to secure their second Paris triumphs of 2024.

Mix (20-1) faced a tougher than predicted challenge from Magomedov in their rematch, going the distance in a competitive affair almost two years on from his second-round submission of the Russian at Bellator 289 in Connecticut. Nevertheless, “No Love” had his hand raised and remained among the names outside of the UFC who are heralded as being in the world’s elite at 135 pounds.

In Higo (23-6), Mix will face an opponent looking to achieve title glory at the second time of trying. “Alter” previously fell short of the bantamweight gold against Darrion Caldwell back in 2018. Since a loss to Aaron Pico that same year, the Brazilian has won five of six, most recently winning back-to-back outings against Nikita Mikhailov and James Gallagher to secure number one contender status.

Leandro Higo & James Gallagher
Image: PFL MMA

While headliner Mix emerged victorious at a Bellator Champions Series event in Paris this year, co-main event star Chamsoudinov (8-0) extended his undefeated record in controversial fashion under the PFL Europe banner. “Baki” competed in a highly anticipated main event against fellow French standout Cédric Doumbé this past March, but their bout came to an anticlimactic end in round three after the former Glory Kickboxing champion’s calls to remove a splinter from his toe resulted in Marc Goddard waving the contest off.

In the aftermath of that win, “Baki” appeared to take issue with the time it took for the PFL to pay him fully, and reports subsequently suggested a UFC signing was on the cards for the free agent. That ultimately didn’t come to fruition, with the Frenchman instead putting pen to paper on a deal with the PFL instead.

To record a more definitive win on home soil this year in what will be his Bellator Champions Series debut, “Baki” is tasked with getting past Enkamp (11-4). The Swedish 32-year-old competed six times for Bellator following an 0-2 run in the UFC. Among a number of notable highlights is the rare buggy choke he secured at Bellator 281 in London just over two years ago.

Baissangour Chamsoudinov & Cedric Doumbe
Image: PFL MMA

Continue Reading Patchy Mix Main Events Bellator Champions Series Paris On Nov. 16, ‘Baki’ Co-Headlines at MMA News.

Exclusive – Patchy Mix plans submission win over Magomedov Magomedov: ‘I’m ready to tame the tiger’

Patchy MixStreaking Bellator MMA bantamweight contender, Patchy Mix has plans to “hunt” and then “tame” opponent, Magomed Magomedov ahead of their long-awaited bantamweight Grand Prix semi final bracket at Bellator 289 this weekend. Mix, who progressed from the quarter final bracket with an impressive, dominant unanimous decision win over former Bellator bantamweight best and UFC alum, […]

Patchy Mix

Streaking Bellator MMA bantamweight contender, Patchy Mix has plans to “hunt” and then “tame” opponent, Magomed Magomedov ahead of their long-awaited bantamweight Grand Prix semi final bracket at Bellator 289 this weekend.

Mix, who progressed from the quarter final bracket with an impressive, dominant unanimous decision win over former Bellator bantamweight best and UFC alum, Kyoji Horiguchi back in April – will look to book his second title fight under the Scott Coker-led banner with a win over Magomedov.

Once challenging for vacant bantamweight spoils back in September 2020, Mix suffered a unanimous decision loss to former champion, Juan Archuleta.

Patchy Mix hunts for submission victory against Magomed Magomedov

In the time since, Mix has embarked on an impressive three-fight undefeated run, submitting both Albert Morales, and then James Gallagher – the latter in the co-main event of Bellator 270 in Dublin last year.

Preparing for his clash with the highly-touted, Magomedov this weekend on the main card of Bellator 279, Mix laid out plans to “tame” the former – who goes by the moniker of ‘Tiger’.

“I’m ready to go, me versus the ‘Tiger’, man,” Patchy Mix said of his fight with Magomed Magomedov during an interview with LowKick MMA reporter, Joseph Reynolds. “Magomed Magomedov; the feared Dagestani wrestler, hybrid striker, 19-2 – I’m ready to go tame the tiger, man.”

“I’m ready to go hunt this guy down, man,” Patchy Mix said. “Much respect to him, but I’m coming out there to go win – I’m coming out there to go finish this guy.”

For Magomedov, the 30-year-old contender’s sole professional losses have come against former undisputed UFC bantamweight best, Petr Yan – and under the Bellator banner, against current interim titleholder, Raufeon Stots. 

Competing back in June most recently, Magomedov stopped Enrique Barloza with a fourth round guillotine choke win.

Bellator 289 will feature another semi-final bracket atop the Mohegan Sun Arena card, with the above-mentioned interim titleholder, Stots headlining against challenger, Danny Sabatello. The victor of that bout is slated to fight the victor of Mix’s clash with Magomedov – with champion, Sergio Pettis then expected to fight the overall tournament winner next year. 

As far as his matchup with Magomedov is concerned, however, Mix believes a potential submission offering for him could be presented in Uncasville this Friday night.

“I think the submission threats gonna be good, ‘cause he (Magomed Magomedov) gives up his back a lot,” Patchy Mix said. “And I’m good at submissions, so. I feel like that’s gonna be a big advantage for me.”