Bellator featherweight Patricio Pitbull has been released by the PFL following a very public social media campaign.
PFL’s Donn Davis says Patricio Pitbull has been released from his contract. #PFL #MMA pic.twitter.com/yCcI4iZHpZ
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 14, 2025
“We are releasing @PatricioPitbull
@PFLMMA 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
#PFLMMA”
PFL founder Donn Davis announced the release on X.
This comes one day after news broke that the PFL would no longer use the Bellator MMA name and everything would be under the PFL umbrella.
That was the good news. Tuesday morning Pitbull took to social media to air his grievances.
Patricio Pitbull took to social media on Tuesday to air grievances regarding new PFL contracts. #PFL #MMA pic.twitter.com/ha4Qs2NLvc
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 14, 2025
“Self called co-leader in MMA and fighters first organization is cutting a bunch of fighters and forcing others to take pay cuts of up to 70%.
No respect for fighter contracts and what they’ve accomplished.”
“The self-called fighters first organization is also changing it contracts so it’s almost impossible for fighters to be free agents and to leave on free agency. Also tying down fighters payments for many years and taking away all their leverage.”
“The self-called co-leader in MMA is ghosting some fighters/managers and leaving them with no answers while the owner makes silly and disrespectful posts on social media.”
He even took it a step forward reaching out to PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou and suggested a fighters union.
Patricio Pitbull reaches out to Francis Ngannou, sounds alarms on new PFL contracts, suggests fighter union. #PFL #MMA pic.twitter.com/I7rLNRRVqU
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 14, 2025
“Hey @francis_ngannou are you aware of all the absurd things PFL is doing to fighters and putting on the new contracts? Will you ever speak up for us?
I’m thinking it’s time we start a PFL Fighters Union. What do you think?”
Pitbull is just one of many top fighters that have had issues with the PFL’s handling of the merger with Bellator. Corey Anderson, Patchy Mix and others have also spoken out.
No word as to whether the promotion will look into releasing Anderson, Mix, or the many others who have had issues with the PFL.