If Bellator double-champ Patricio Pitbull (30-4) was put off by the long delay in the promotion’s featherweight grand prix, he’s not letting it show.
“We’re professional fighters. That happens in the fight game,” he told Cageside Press during the Bellator 252 media day this week. The champion tops the card, defending his title against Pedro Carvalho. Who, he noted, found himself in similar circumstances. “We’re actually both in the same situation. I got to spend sometime with my family, I trained very hard, I improved on some skills, I added some new skills, and I’m ready to fight.”
It remains something of a shocker that the grand prix wasn’t the first order of business for Bellator when the promotion returned to action at the end of July. Instead, it’s been nearly fourth months worth of events, and only now is the 145lb tournament ramping back up.
“I was ready for July, I was ready for August. I was even at the end of my camp,” admitted Pitbull. “I have a very controlled camp, we make sure the last four weeks we do it correctly, so we can peak at the right moment. Fortunately, we’re still in peak form. I’ve been waiting for this fight, I’m more prepared, I’ve added skills. Let’s fight.”
Carvalho was certainly an underdog entering the grand prix, but here he is in the second round. In Patricio Freire’s assessment, “he’s a very formidable opponent in this tournament.” The Pitbull brother, who holds the Bellator lightweight championship in addition to its 145lb belt, added “but I’m ready for this fight. I’m ready to eliminate him, and move on in the tournament. I respect him as a fighter, but I’m going for that million dollars.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Carvalho had suggested the Pitbull likes to play the victim — allowing himself to look the hero in his fights. It’s why the Brazilian winds up in so many feuds, Carvalho implied.
“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Patricio Pitbull responded. “We’re in the fight game, anybody can win or lose, of course. Any time I step in that cage I can lose. But I’m the winningest fighter in Bellator history.” And, he went on to add, “I see myself as a better fighter. I see myself as a better fighter than he is.”
Watch the full Bellator 252 virtual media day press scrum with Patricio Pitbull above. The event takes place this Thursday, November 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, with the main card airing live on CBS Sports Network.
