"You cut over 70% of the roster" - Patricio Pitbull dismisses PFL chairman's response to fighter complaints, stands firm on release demand

Patricio Pitbull recently brushed off PFL chairman Donn Davis' response to the mounting frustration from prominent fighters. Several high-profile Bellator fighters, including Pitbull, have voiced their dissatisfaction over being sidelined since the promotion came under PFL's control, with many demanding their release.

In response, Davis took to X on Thursday to set the record straight, asserting that he and his team had made every effort in 2024 to secure at least two bouts for the Bellator roster.

However, the PFL top executive's clarification didn't sit well with Pitbull, who flatly rejected Davis' claims of arranging at least two fights a year. The reigning Bellator featherweight champion countered by highlighting that Davis had slashed a significant portion of the roster while imposing pay cuts on other fighters:

"Bellator is PFL’s property, many fighters didn’t fight a single time and many like me only fought once. You said you’d honor everyone’s contracts and give them two fights this year. You didn’t. You cut over 70% of the roster and had many renegotiate their pay."

Pitbull further added that he hopes Davis will honor his promises, but reiterated his request to be released from the PFL:

"As far as PFL providing everyone two fights this year, I really hope that’s what’s gonna happen and not because many more will be cut. I want PFL to succeed, it’s good for the sport and for fighters. That said, I want to leave right away. Can we agree to it this week?"

Check out Patricio Pitbull's post below:

Pitbull was last seen in action in during the Bellator Champions Series held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he secured a spectacular third-round knockout victory over Jeremy Kennedy to retain his featherweight title.

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Patricio Pitbull shares what led him to speak out against PFL

During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Patricio Pitbull shed light on what drove him to publicly criticize the PFL. Speaking through his translator, the 37-year-old Brazilian revealed that his frustrations began when the PFL abruptly canceled his scheduled fight and later switched his opponent on short notice without notifying him.

These issues, compounded by other grievances, reinforced his resolve to seek his release from the promotion:

"The last straw was them canceling my fight. They had me wait until Dec. 31st and let me know with a few weeks' notice that my fight was canceled. And I actually found out the change of opponents on the internet. Then they said there would be no event... Things just kept piling up. And I just had, enough is enough."

Check out Patricio Pitbull's comments below (0:50):