Former Bellator two-division champion Patricio Pitbull will make his highly anticipated UFC debut against top-ranked featherweight Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314 in Miami, Fla. on April 12. The 37-year-old veteran was granted his full release from PFL and entered into a month-long negotiation with the UFC before finalizing the fight.
According to Pitbull, he was offered several potential opponents by the UFC, including Aljamain Sterling and Arnold Allen, before securing the Rodriguez bout. However, both of those fights fell through due to injuries or last-minute changes.
Pitbull stated that he kept training in mind for his debut, saying “I kept training with Yair Rodriguez in mind… Let’s see if he’ll stay on the fight or get injured.” The Brazilian is confident about facing a top-ranked opponent and hopes to earn a title shot by defeating Rodriguez.
As a former champion in Bellator, Pitbull aims to prove himself as a relevant fighter in the UFC. He believes his experience will be an asset against Rodriguez, who has “an explosive and hungry” fighting style. With open offers for potential fights in other divisions, Pitbull remains focused on beating Rodriguez and earning a shot at the winner of Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes.
With the weight class stacked with top talent, many question whether Pitbull’s 37-year-old age will pose an issue against younger opponents. However, he asserts that his motivation stems from doubters who underestimate him due to his experience.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/2/21/24369446/patricio-pitbull-aljamain-sterling-ran-from-him-yair-rodriguez-fight-booked-ufc-314