Adam Guillen has been writing (and translating) for MMAmania.com since 2011, covering the latest UFC, Bellator, PFL and other mixed martial arts (MMA) news and latest happenings throughout the combat sports world.
Professional Fighters League (PFL) co-founder, Donn Davis, recently revealed that if any former Bellator fighters who are currently under contract with his promotion no longer want to be part of the company after the two merged into one, he will gladly let them go on to pursue other ventures.
Patricio Pitbull was recently granted his release from the company, opening his window to finally sign with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), something he's wanted to do before his career winds down. During the recent UFC 311 post-fight press conference, Dana White was asked about his interest in signing Pitbull, though he didn't sound too committed.
"I don't know," White replied (via Bloody Elbow). "I'll talk to the boys and we'll see where we're at."
Pitbull -- the last man to hold the Bellator Featherweight title -- has long been recognized as the face of the company, and at 37 years of age he feels he still has plenty left in the tank to make a run at the title, starting with this guy.
Another fighter who is currently free to sign elsewhere is top 145-pound contender, Aaron Pico. When asked about the possibility of signing him to his already loaded Featherweight roster, White says he and "the boys" are more receptive to the idea.
"I definitely know the boys are interested in him."
Pico has won nine of his last 10 fights and has been competing for Bellator since turning pro back in 2017, amassing and overall record of 13-4. Interestingly enough, Pitbull and Pico were in talks to collide in late 2024, but that fight never saw the light of day.
For now, those two fighters are the only ones who have a very real chance of locking down UFC contracts in the near future, but there is another man who could be making his way to the Octagon, as Bellator Bantamweight champion, Patchy Mix, asked for his release a couple of weeks ago.