Patricio Pitbull scorches PFL founder Donn Davis for admitting he 'doesn't watch fights' as Bellator champ pleads for release
12/16/2024 08:25 PM
Bellator legend Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire believes PFL founder Donn Davis’s admission about his MMA fight intake sent ripples across the promotion.
Patricio Pitbull is done with the PFL and wants an immediate release after months of pleading for the promotion to book his return. After several scheduled events were canceled, Pitbull and other fighters were left with less clarity on their returns, resulting in several champions speaking out.
Pitbull has had enough. In recent days, he’s taken to X to air his grievances against the PFL for how they’ve handled their opening year with Bellator under their umbrella. He wants the PFL to cut ties with him so he can entertain a potential offer from the UFC.
Amidst the increasing scrutiny against the PFL, founder Donn Davis didn’t alleviate tensions during a recent Q+A with MMA Fighting. During the Q+A session, Davis was asked what his favorite MMA fight of all time is, to which he responded by saying he doesn’t watch fights or pay attention to other promotions.
Pitbull didn’t forget that comment when eventually deciding to move on from the PFL.
Patricio Pitbull questions PFL’s Donn Davis: “How can you tell people to watch the fights?”
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pitbull aimed at the PFL headman.
“Donn Davis is an investor, he’s a promoter, but he came out and said he doesn’t watch MMA, he doesn’t watch the fights. So how can you tell people to watch the fights?” Pitbull said. “They didn’t keep up with their promises to honor fighter contracts, cut a lot of people.
“So it creates a sense of insecurity for all of us. There’s a lot of things they need to do as a promotion and I really hope they do. Do something good with the right mindset, but I’m not expecting that. I don’t have all the time to wait.”
As of this writing, the PFL hasn’t responded to Pitbull’s public pleas for release. He hasn’t fought since a TKO win against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Champions Series: Belfast in March.
Pitbull is responsible for some of the most iconic moments in Bellator history, including when he knocked out Michael Chandler for the lightweight title at Bellator 221. He’s regarded as the greatest fighter in Bellator history after a plethora of accolades at featherweight.
Patricio Pitbull is the latest big name to publically criticize PFL
Pitbull made his Bellator debut at Bellator 15 in 2010, defeating Wilson Reis during the Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament. During his Bellator tenure, he’s earned wins against the likes of AJ McKee, Juan Archuleta, and Emmanuel Sanchez.
Pitbull is far from the only high-profile name to criticize the PFL for its business practices. UFC CEO Dana White has been in a war of words with Davis for months, taunting the promotion’s low viewership stats.
As Pitbull looks ahead to what might be next for his fighting career, he could potentially add a new dimension to the UFC’s featherweight division. UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is planning a move to lightweight, leaving the door open to a potentially vacant title.
In the meantime, Pitbull hopes Davis will honor his request and release him from his PFL contract. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the PFL-Bellator marriage continues to be a rocky affair.
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