PFL MMA has released an official statement addressing the future branding of Bellator. PFL acquired the Bellator brand and its roster of fighters in November 2023.

After 17 years as the sport's number two promotion, Bellator MMA is no more, PFL founder Donn Davis revealed earlier today.

Professional Fighters League is releasing Bellator featherweight champion Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, PFL chairman Donn Davis announced Tuesday. "I founded this company to create new, great opportunities for top fighters,

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is the consensus greatest fighter in the history of Bellator MMA and the featherweight champ is now a free agent after being released by the Professional Fighters League.

"We are releasing Patricio Pitbull," Davis wrote Tuesday afternoon on X. "PFL is all about opportunity. I founded this company to create new great opportunities for top fighters. PFL has and will continue to do that for all top fighters who want to be here.

"Pitbull" is off the leash. Patricio Freire has been released from his PFL contract and is now a free agent, according to promotion founder Donn Davis. After weeks of Freire (36-7 MMA, 24-6 UFC) publicly asking for his release,

Patricio Pitbull has received his wish. The multiple-time and current Bellator featherweight champion has been incredibly outspoken in recent months regarding his dissatisfaction under the PFL umbrella.

PFL Chairman Donn Davis has announced the Patrico Pitbull has been released from his contract and that the Bellator MMA brand is no more.