Patricio Pitbull is officially a free agent.
Donn Davis announces Patricio Pitbull’s release from PFL
Alexander K. Lee is an editor for MMA Fighting who has been covering combat sports since 2014.
Shortly after the longtime Bellator star went on a public tirade against PFL, who acquired Bellator in 2023, PFL chairman Donn Davis announced Tuesday via Twitter that Pitbull has been granted his release.
See Davis’ statement below.
“We are releasing [Pitbull],” Davis wrote. “[PFL] is all about opportunity. I founded this company to create new great opportunities for top fighters. PFL has and will continue to do that for all top fighters who want to be here.”
Pitbull, currently in his third reign as Bellator featherweight champion, had been campaigning for months to be released from his contract amid complaints of inactivity. On Tuesday, the 37-year-old veteran called Davis and PFL out for allegedly lowering fighter pay and making it more difficult for fighters to leave in free agency. He also lamented the end of the Bellator brand, which is not part of PFL’s plans going forward outside of a few select title fights.
In his plea to be released, Pitbull also tagged PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, suggesting they work together to form a fighters union.
Pitbull’s efforts appear to have paid off as he is now a free agent, according to Davis. He departs the organization with a 24-6 record under the Bellator banner, which includes three title reigns as featherweight champion and a lightweight title win in 2019.
UPDATE: Following Davis’ announcement, Pitbull took to social media where he claimed that his release actually came with strings attached with PFL maintaining matching rights for any offer he might receive in free agency.
“As much as I appreciate an earlier termination of my deal and a waiver of the exclusive negotiation period, you are still retaining matching rights so I’m not exactly free,” Pitbull wrote. “If you’re so kind to let me go, why not make it an unconditional release?”
PFL hasn’t addressed Pitbull’s claims about his contract situation.
UPDATE: As of Tuesday evening, Pitbull claims his release is now unconditional according to a conversation with PFL senior vice president of corporate communications Loren Mack. However, he still expects Davis and PFL CEO Peter Murray to clarify the situation publicly.
