Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has taken PFL to task for its “disastrous” handling of the Bellator MMA acquisition in late 2023. Specifically, the lack of fights for those combatants who sat on the shelf for the majority of 2024.
PFL head cheese Donn Davis insists the promotion did the best it could.
“PFL has ALWAYS provided all fighters two fights a year,” Davis wrote on social media. “When we acquired Bellator THEY had ZERO fight events scheduled for their Bellator 210 fighters in 2024. PFL MMA stepped in and did best we could for them in 2024. 2025 ALL fighters again [get] two fights a year!”
Freire recently petitioned PFL for his unconditional release.
“Bellator is PFL’s property, many fighters didn’t fight a single time and many like me only fought once,” Freire replied. “You said you’d honor everyone’s contracts and give them two fights this year. You didn’t. You cut over 70% of the roster and had many renegotiate their pay.”
Don’t expect any sympathy from UFC CEO Dana White.
“As far as PFL providing everyone two fights this year, I really hope that’s what’s gonna happen and not because many more will be cut,” Freire continued. “I want PFL to succeed, it’s good for the sport and for fighters. That said, I want to leave right away. Can we agree to it this week?”
Bellator MMA returns to action with its latest “Champions Series” fight card on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The 37-year-old Freire (36-7) has not competed since registering a technical knockout victory over Jeremy Kennedy last March in Belfast.
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