5 potential opponents for Patricio Pitbull in the UFC feat. Michael Chandler and Alexander Volkanovski

One of MMA's biggest names could be on his way to the UFC. It was announced earlier this week that the PFL had released the final Bellator featherweight champion, Patricio Pitbull, from his contract.

Patricio Pitbull has already stated that the only promotion he wants to join is the UFC, so who could he face if he does indeed arrive there?

The Brazilian has already given his own list of three potential opponents, but as it's unlikely he'll get a champ vs. champ bout with Ilia Topuria, other options should be explored.

With that in mind, here are five potential opponents for Patricio Pitbull in the UFC.

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#5. Patricio Pitbull vs. Alexander Volkanovski

When Patricio Pitbull's release from the PFL was confirmed earlier this week, the Brazilian was quick to state his ambition to join the UFC.

The former Bellator champion also gave a list of three fighters that he would like to face in his octagon debut. This list included current featherweight champ Ilia Topuria, former champ Alexander Volkanovski, and highly ranked contender Diego Lopes.

Unfortunately for Pitbull, all three bouts may be off the table. Lopes is signed to face Yair Rodriguez in March, while it was suggested in late 2024 that Topuria and Volkanovski would be rematching for the title this year.

However, 'El Matador' has also suggested that a move to 155 pounds could lie in his future. If that's the case, then could Pitbull fight 'Alexander the Great'?

It'd certainly be a fascinating bout pitting two master strikers against one another. More to the point, Pitbull is not a young fighter at the age of 37, meaning a bout with a veteran like Volkanovski could make sense.

If Pitbull really wants to make a splash and head right into title contention, then Volkanovski would definitely be the man to beat. However, the Aussie may end up fighting in an interim title bout should Topuria move up - making this fight a lower one on this list.

In the future, though? This fight might make a lot of sense for Patricio Pitbull.

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#4. Patricio Pitbull vs. Jose Aldo

Back in late 2014, when Patricio Pitbull first claimed the Bellator featherweight title from Pat Curran, the UFC's 145-pound division was ruled over by Jose Aldo.

At that stage, Aldo had made a record seven successful defenses of his title, and was widely recognized as the world's best featherweight. Even staunch Bellator fans would've had a hard time arguing that Pitbull could beat his fellow Brazilian.

A decade on, though, this fight might actually make sense as Pitbull's octagon debut.

Aldo is still an excellent fighter, but he's also very much past his prime at this stage. Realistically, he hasn't been the same since his two losses to Max Holloway in 2017.

The former titleholder returned from a brief retirement last year, but despite beating Jonathan Martinez in his comeback fight, he then lost to the largely unheralded Mario Bautista.

So why should Pitbull face Aldo - who would have to move back up in weight - for his octagon debut? Put simply, it's about name value. Despite his recent losses, the Aldo name still carries a lot of weight with casual observers in particular.

If Patricio Pitbull could dispatch the legend in his first bout in the UFC, he'd definitely be making a splash. Therefore, this would defintely be a worthy fight to pursue.

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#3. Patricio Pitbull vs. Brian Ortega

If the UFC are looking to both introduce Patricio Pitbull to the top of the featherweight division and also create an exciting fight, they should look no further than matching him with Brian Ortega.

'T-City' is a former featherweight title challenger who holds victories over the likes of Frankie Edgar, Yair Rodriguez, Renato Moicano and the 'Korean Zombie'. Sure, he's only won one of his last four fights, but he's still a top-level fighter by anyone's standards.

Still ranked at No. 6 in the division, Ortega has not fought since his loss to Diego Lopes in September. However, he isn't booked for 2025 yet, meaning that he could also be available to face Pitbull in the near future.

Not only would this fight pit two of the most skilled and dangerous 145-pounders in the world against one another, but it'd also be a likely barnburner too. Both men always look to finish their foes, with Ortega having eleven finishes to his name and Pitbull a ridiculous 24.

More importantly, it'd be a great barometer to tell fans exactly where the former Bellator champ would stand in the UFC. If he could get past 'T-City', he'd be a clear-cut title contender. If not, he'd probably settle into the role of an action fighter.

While there are perhaps bigger name fights out there, seeing Brian Ortega welcome Patricio Pitbull into the octagon would definitely be a cool choice.

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#2. Patricio Pitbull vs. Movsar Evloev

Right now, it's arguable that the boogeyman of the UFC's featherweight division is Movsar Evloev.

Not only is the Russian still unbeaten, boasting a record of 19-0, but he's also produced some huge wins over the likes of Arnold Allen, Diego Lopes and Aljamain Sterling.

The only issue that Evloev has had is his wrestling-heavy style isn't the most exciting to watch. Arguably, that's what has kept him away from the title picture at 145 pounds.

So why would it make sense for him to act as the opponent in the debut fight for former Bellator champ Patricio Pitbull?

Firstly, if Pitbull could knock Evloev off, not only would he vault right into title contention, he'd probably wind up in Dana White's good books too for beating a less popular fighter.

Secondly, if anyone can drag an exciting fight from Evloev, it's Pitbull. A fighter boasting a wicked striking game and underrated takedown defense, he's been in countless firefights over the years, and could well force Evloev into spots he's never been before.

Overall, then, this wouldn't be the biggest fight for Pitbull from a name value perspective, but as a bit of cool matchmaking, it might make sense.

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#1. Patricio Pitbull vs. Michael Chandler

While Patricio Pitbull has been fighting at 145 pounds for the last few years - and will leave the Bellator featherweight title behind to move to the UFC - the best debut fight for him might actually be at 155 pounds.

That's because the UFC is now home to Michael Chandler, who Pitbull famously knocked out to claim the Bellator lightweight title in 2019.

That loss still stands as probably the most shocking of Chandler's career, given Pitbull moved up to 155 pounds for the bout. Put simply, there's no doubt that 'Iron Mike' would love to take revenge.

What would be in this fight for Pitbull, though, particularly if he has designs on the UFC featherweight title?

Well, the fact is that Chandler is a bigger name than any fighter available right now at 145 pounds save for Ilia Topuria, Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, and there's a chance that none of those men will be available.

'Iron Mike', though, will be gunning to get back into action after his loss to Charles Oliveira, and it feels like his planned fight with Conor McGregor is now dead in the water entirely.

Given that Pitbull is already 37 years old, then, it might make sense for him to look for dream fights rather than bouts with top contenders right now. If that's the case, then a rematch with Chandler could definitely be the perfect debut fight for him.