Dana White Says Bellator Champ Will Probably Leave The PFL For The UFC
UFC president Dana White has said that he believes Bellator champion Patricio Freire will eventually leave the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to join the UFC.
Freire, who is also known as “Pitbull,” has been one of the most successful fighters in Bellator history. He has won the featherweight and lightweight titles and has also won the Bellator Grand Prix tournament. He has also recently signed with the PFL for the 2023 season, which begins in April, where he is expected to compete in the lightweight division.
Despite signing with the PFL, White believes that Freire will eventually make his way to the UFC.
“He’s gonna go fight in the PFL for a little while, and then he’s gonna come to the UFC,” White said in a recent interview.
“He’s a great fighter. He’s a world-class fighter. We know he’s coming. We’re all waiting for him to come.”
Freire has stated his desire to be UFC champion multiple times, making White’s claims understandable. At the Bellator 281 weigh-in last year, Freire said, “You’ve got a Bellator champ here with an eye on the biggest prize of all: UFC champ.”
The PFL is a relatively new MMA promotion, but they have made a big splash in the industry in a short time. They have attracted some of the best fighters in the world, and have already established themselves as a major force in the MMA market.
White is likely aware that the PFL’s presence is creating an environment where they have to work harder to retain the top fighters in the world. In his opinion, it won’t be long before Freire joins the roster and adds his name to the growing number of PFL signees that end up making the jump to the UFC.
The UFC is still the top MMA organization in the world. With its massive roster of talent, its global reach, and its lucrative contracts, it remains the gold standard for fighters around the world.
With Freire signed to the PFL through 2023, the PFL still has time to demonstrate why it is a desirable long-term destination for some of the biggest fighters on the planet.
Whether he makes the move next year, the year after, or sometime down the line, one thing seems certain: “Pitbull” Patricio Freire is undoubtedly making waves and keeping a future UFC championship fight in mind, no matter where he lands in the fight game.
