May 11, 2019; Rosemont, IL, USA; Patricio Freire (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Michael Chandler (red gloves) during Bellator 221 at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

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Dana White Gives His Take On The Future Of Patricio ‘Pitbull’ In The UFC

Dana White weighs in on Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire future in the UFC, offering his perspective on the fighter's next steps in the promotion!

The UFC’s featherweight division just got a major boost with the arrival of Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. The long-time Bellator champion finally made his way to the UFC after years of being one of the most dominant forces outside the organization.

With an impressive record of 36-7, Pitbull’s journey to the UFC is similar to when Eddie Alvarez crossed over and shocked everyone by winning the lightweight title. Just like Michael Chandler, who ‘Pitbull’ actually beat in Bellator, this Brazilian powerhouse brings a wealth of experience and championship pedigree to the UFC’s already stacked 145-pound division.

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Pitbull To Make A High-Stakes Debut Against Yair Rodriguez!

Dana White didn’t waste any time throwing Patricio Pitbull into deep waters. The UFC president announced that the Brazilian will face Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314. He made it clear that there is no easy path in the UFC’s featherweight division. Rodriguez, known for his flashy striking and that unforgettable last-second elbow knockout of Korean Zombie, will be a serious test for the former Bellator champ.

The timing couldn’t be better, as Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will battle for the vacant featherweight title on the same card. White believes Pitbull has what it takes to make waves in the division, comparing his potential impact to that of Chandler’s explosive UFC debut.

Patricio Pitbull In The Championship Mix?

The UFC featherweight division has always been a shark tank, and White sees Pitbull as another apex predator joining the mix. The timing of his arrival couldn’t be better, with the division in flux after recent changes at the top. White emphasized that while Pitbull’s Bellator accomplishments are impressive, the UFC is a different beast entirely.

“Obviously he is going to get the opportunity to come in here and challenge himself against the best in the world. And no matter where he is at in his career, beating Yair Rodriguez is a big deal. If he comes in and beats Yair, I don’t know. We will see,” said White at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song post-fight press conference.

Dana White also revealed what got the deal done with ‘Pitbull’ jumping ship to the UFC. A simple “phone call” was all it to took to get Patricio to join the ranks of the UFC featherweight division. With Pitbull’s debut set for UFC 314, White’s excitement is palpable, and he’s already hinting at the possibility of fast-tracking him to a title shot if he can get past Rodriguez in impressive fashion.

The featherweight division is no stranger to dominant champions, from Jose Aldo’s legendary reign to Max Holloway’s impressive run. Dana White believes Patricio Pitbull has the tools to follow in their footsteps, pointing out his well-rounded skillset and knockout power. With potential matchups against fighters like Brian Ortega, Movsar Evloev, and the winner of the title fight looming, Pitbull’s journey in the UFC is just beginning!

(Image Credit: Jerry Lai – Imagn Images)

Dana White

Patricio Freire

UFC 314

Yair Rodriguez

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!