After years of speculation, our patience has finally paid off – there’s a ‘Pitbull’ about to be let off the chain inside the UFC octagon.
Late last night, Dana White took to Instagram to announce a host of outstanding matchups that have been added to the upcoming schedule – including three UFC world championship title fights.
As fans begin to digest another insane night of UFC fight news, there’s one story flying underneath the radar; ladies and gentlemen, Patricio ‘Pitbull’ is finally UFC-bound!
Patricio Pitbull to make UFC debut on Miami PPV against KO artist
Just one month after admitting he was ‘unsure’ of signing Pitbull to the promotion, Dana White has now confirmed that the highly talented Brazilian is officially a UFC fighter.
In fact, not only has Patricio ‘Pitbull’ been officially signed to the roster, but his debut fight will come against Mexican knockout artist Yair Rodriguez on the main card of UFC 314 in April.
In a statement shared on X, the former Bellator world champion would send an ominous message to his new subjects.
“It’s time to conquer a new crown, UFC featherweights, your future king has arrived!”
For those unaware of Pitbull’s credentials, he’s a former five-time Bellator champion who has secured championship gold at both featherweight and lightweight – including an iconic title-winning KO over Michael Chandler.
The Brazilian had been one of the most popular athletes on the Bellator roster; although Pitbull had fallen out of favor with that promotion over recent months after it was acquired by the PFL.
He sports an incredible professional record of 36-7, with 12 of those wins coming via KO/TKO, and another 12 by way of submission.
Welcoming Pitbull to the UFC roster is stylish Mexican striker Yair ‘El Pantera’ Rodriguez.
Rodriguez claimed the interim featherweight title against Josh Emmett in 2023 but has struggled of late – being TKO’d by Alexander Volkanovski for undisputed gold, before being choked out by Brian Ortega in his last fight, that being all the way back in February 2024.
- REVEALED: Demetrious Johnson wants Kickboxing champion to transition to MMA and become the next Alex Pereira
Pitbull to make UFC debut on ‘stacked’ UFC 314 card in Miami
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ vs Yair Rodriguez is currently scheduled as the third-to-last fight on a ‘stacked’ UFC 314 card in Miami.
In the co-main event of the evening, Pitbull’s former foe Michael Chandler returns to action against surging British lightweight Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett.
UFC 314 will then feature Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes in the main event; with that bout being contested for the now-vacant featherweight title after Ilia Topuria officially moved up to 155lbs.
- Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes (Featherweight title)
- Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
- Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
- Geoff Neal vs Carlos Prates
- Nikita Krylov vs Dominick Reyes
- Dan Ige vs Sean Woodson
- Yan Xiaonan vs Virna Jandiroba
- Jim Miller vs Chase Hooper
Other bouts also confirmed for UFC 314 include Darren Elkins vs Julian Erosa, Alberto Montes vs Roberto Romero, Sedriques Dumas vs Michal Oleksiejczuk, and Sumudaerji vs Mitch Raposo.
UFC 314 goes down live from Miami on Saturday, April 12.