Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull is considering moving down to 145 pounds for the next season of the Professional Fighters League, following advice from his brother and training partners.
Patricky Pitbull’s diet might be a little more rigid come 2025. He’s been chatting about this on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. The ex-Bellator lightweight champ is mulling over the idea of slimming down to 145 pounds. This is for the upcoming season of the Professional Fighters League next year.
Pitbull’s stepping into the ring for the first time under this promotion on Friday. He’s squaring off against Clay Collard in the regular season, weighing in at 155 pounds.
“My brother and a few training partners are pushing for me to drop to 145,” Pitbull shared. “Who knows? Maybe after this season, I’ll take on the 145 season. I reckon there’s a good chance I’ll put on a solid show and win fights at 145.”
This Brazilian fighter, aged 38, has 37 professional fights under his belt. However, he’s never fought as a featherweight. He joined Bellator in 2011 after winning a 150-pound catchweight in his home country the year before. Since then, he’s only fought as a lightweight. But, he’s working with the same nutritionist who helped his brother, Patricio Pitbull, drop to 135 pounds. This gives him confidence.
“I just need to get used to training lighter and faster,” Pitbull explained. He’s beaten Peter Queally, Roger Huerta, Ryan Couture, Roberto Satoshi, and Derek Campos. “I’d need to adapt before the season starts, not just drop weight for it. My body’s good with diets, and I lose weight pretty easily.”
Pitbull, co-leader of Pitbull Brothers in Natal, Brazil, joked that he’s “ambitious.” He started 2024 “thinking about my weight class and now I’m thinking of two.” He’s facing Collard on Friday, aiming to defeat the 2023 PFL season finalist. This is a guy who’s beaten Shane Burgos, Jeremy Stephens, and Anthony Pettis under the PFL banner.
“We have similar styles, and I think it’s a great match-up for me,” Pitbull said. “He likes to brawl and so do I, so it’s the perfect fight. There’s also a chance I could use my grappling. I always say that [and end up standing and trading], but I think I’ll have to start the season a bit different this time [laughs]. People already expect that, but the fire and desire to brawl is always bigger [laughs].”
Pitbull’s last four Bellator bouts were five-round contests. Going back to three-rounders feels “like a party, shorter and more intense.” He considers Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov the toughest rivals on the 2024 season. He knows he has to be ready to take down anyone to reach the $1 million prize later this year.
“It’s something that can change my life,” Pitbull said. “Being smart and knowing how to manage and invest it, it’s great money. It could be better [laughs]. I try not to think about this prize too much sometimes but it’s impossible, brother. You try not to think about it and then the million dollars are following you like your shadow [laughs].”