LAS VEGAS—Patricio Pitbull is ready to make a statement in his UFC debut.
The former two-division champion steps into the octagon for the first time at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, where he takes on one-time interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. Pitbull competes for the first time since being granted his release from PFL this past January after he publicly called for the league to allow him to become a free agent.
Pitbull, 37, now finds himself in prime position to make a name for himself in a new position, and that starts with putting on a show against Rodriguez.
“He’s very dynamic, but I have a power and I’m going to smash him,” Pitbull told MMA Fighting’s José Youngs during a media scrum.
During his time with Bellator, prior to the brand being acquired by PFL in 2023, Pitbull became the face of the promotion with multiple title reigns and defenses at 145 pounds, and a lightweight title win in 2019. He holds a 36-7 record as a pro, giving him plenty of credibility should the UFC decide to fast-track him to a championship bout.
At the top of UFC 314, former champion Alexander Volkanovski fights Diego Lopes for a vacant featherweight belt in the wake of Ilia Topuria vacating his title to move up to lightweight. Pitbull feels it’s no coincidence his debut is part of the same lineup.
“The UFC didn’t say anything, but I feel the card they put me on, the position they put me in, they’re really aligning me to potentially be a contender in the featherweight division,” Pitbull said via a Portuguese translator.
Rodriguez is currently No. 5 in the UFC’s official featherweight rankings, so Pitbull presumably claims that spot with a win on April 12. If that also vaults him into an immediate title shot, he’ll be quick to sign on the dotted line.
“I’m always ready,” Pitbull said. “We win that fight, [whoever wins the main event], I’m going to face, no problem. But I know it depends on my next fight. I know my place, but I’m going to take that belt, you’ll see.”
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