Patricio Pitbull, a long-reigning featherweight champion in Bellator, has expressed interest in a potential matchup against Jose Aldo, who held the same title in the UFC for many years. Now that both fighters are associated with the UFC, this dream fight could become a reality.
Pitbull is set to make his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314. With an impressive record of 24 wins and 6 losses in Bellator, a victory on April 12th could quickly put him in title contention. Aldo is currently competing in the bantamweight division and is scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 on May 10th.
“I don’t have a burning desire to fight Aldo, it’s not something I’m chasing, but if the UFC makes an offer, I would gladly accept it,” Pitbull stated in an interview. He believes that if this fight never happens, it would be a missed opportunity, especially considering their parallel careers as featherweight champions in different organizations.
Pitbull, a former two-division champion in Bellator, acknowledges that defeating Aldo wouldn`t definitively crown him the greatest featherweight of all time. However, it would finally answer the long-debated question of who would win in a head-to-head clash. Pitbull feels that there`s often a bias towards UFC fighters in these comparisons, but he is confident in his own legacy.
“For Aldo and many UFC fans, there`s no doubt that he is the greatest featherweight ever,” Pitbull commented. “But some fight experts consider Patricio as a potential contender for that title. Ultimately, a fight is the best way to resolve this discussion. It wouldn`t rewrite history, but it would provide a clear winner and add a significant chapter to both our careers. While I`m not actively seeking this fight, it would undoubtedly be a great one to make.”
Pitbull has achieved championships at both featherweight and lightweight in Bellator. He even defeated RIZIN featherweight champion Kleber Koike in a non-title bout in Japan. He recently attempted to make history by dropping to bantamweight to challenge Sergio Pettis for the Bellator title, but was unsuccessful. However, he is open to moving between weight classes again within the UFC.
“Depending on the specific challenge, we are willing to change weight classes,” Pitbull explained. “From bantamweight to welterweight, we are open to opportunities depending on the opponent. Even welterweight could be considered, especially if the opponent is a veteran with a similar career history to mine. A younger, less experienced fighter wouldn`t be as appealing.”
