Patricio Pitbull has long been a dominant force, reigning as the Bellator featherweight champion for many years. His accolades also include securing the lightweight title by defeating Michael Chandler and traveling to Japan to overcome RIZIN champion Kleber Koike.
Now, Pitbull is set to make his debut in the UFC`s octagon, and his teammate from Pitbull Brothers, Leandro Higo, is highly confident in his ability to succeed at the highest level.
Both Higo and Pitbull are scheduled to compete in Florida this week. Higo is making his PFL debut in the main event of PFL 2 in Orlando on April 11, where he faces late replacement Marcirley Alves. The following evening, Pitbull enters the UFC octagon for the first time, taking on Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314.
“I believe he will become champion in the UFC,” Higo stated in an interview. He pointed to the successful track record of fighters transitioning from Bellator, saying, “Almost every former fighter who went from Bellator to the UFC has performed well. Will Brooks is perhaps the only former champion who didn`t find similar success. Look at Michael Chandler doing great, Eddie Alvarez becoming champion, and many others. Patricio possesses all the necessary attributes to become a champion, and he`s starting with a significant challenge.”
The UFC featherweight championship will be contested in the main event of UFC 314 in Miami, featuring former titleholder Alexander Volkanovski against rising contender Diego Lopes.
From Higo`s perspective, a strong performance from Pitbull could position him as the next contender in the 145-pound division.
“Depending on his performance, he might very well become the next challenger,” Higo reiterated. “He has everything it takes to be champion. He trains alongside champions, and I truly believe he is the best in the world.”
The final stages of preparation required Higo and Pitbull to train separately, approximately 230 miles apart in Florida. However, Higo plans to drive to Miami the day after his own fight to witness Pitbull`s inaugural walk to the octagon.
“I will hit the road to Miami as soon as my fight concludes,” Higo confirmed. “I want to be there to watch Pitbull`s debut. I predict he gets the knockout win.”
Facing his second opponent change on short notice for Friday`s bout, Higo remains focused on securing his first victory in the PFL bantamweight tournament, with his sights set on the $500,000 grand prize. Josh Rettinghouse initially replaced Magomed Magomedov but was himself replaced by Alves just hours before the weigh-ins after not being cleared.
Addressing the opponent shifts, Higo commented, “My opponents keep changing, but if you aspire to be a champion, you have to navigate through adversities. It`s regrettable that I now have to fight a fellow Brazilian, especially after both our original opponents failed weight, and he stepped in as an alternate.”
Higo concluded, “I know Marcirley; we have competed on the same fight card before. But we are both professionals with a job to do. This is my first step in the tournament, and with God`s will, it will be my first win. Then comes the second victory, the third, leading to that half a million dollars.”
