Interview: Pitbull focused on cementing MMA legacy

Bellator’s Patricio Pitbull has a clear motivation.

“It’s about legacy, always,” Pitbull told Fight Night Picks’ John Hyon Ko in a recent interview.

The Bellator double-champion (featherweight, lightweight) talked about his upcoming fight with AJ McKee for the featherweight title, a potential quest for a third belt and his place in the annals of the sport’s history in a 20-minute interview.

“My life is perfect,” said Pitbull, speaking about his two children and his success in Bellator.

Pitbull topped Emmanuel Sanchez by first-round guillotine in April as part of Bellator’s featherweight grand prix. He expects the title fight against McKee to take place in July.

But if Pitbull had it his way, he would have fought McKee immediately after his win over Sanchez. McKee and his corner was in attendance and Pitbull suggested they throw down right then.

“We’re in the cage, let’s fight now,” Pitbull (32-4) recalls telling the 17-0 McKee. “Let’s put the gloves on and let’s go. … He said ‘Give me two weeks.'”

McKee first came onto Pitbull’s radar when he knocked out Georgi Karakhanyan in 8 seconds in 2019. Since then, the animosity has grown between the two, reaching its peak when the two met in the cage after Pitbull’s most recent victory.

“He was pale, without soul,” Pitbull said. “I know AJ McKee, he’s a little bit afraid because he’s going to face me. … When an animal is afraid, it’s more dangerous. I have to be careful with that.”

If Pitbull is able to dispatch McKee with no troubles, he hopes to turnaround two weeks later and fight Juan Archuleta for the bantamweight title in an attempt to hold three belts at one time. He eventually will vacate the lightweight belt, he said.

After his ambitions are achieved in Bellator, he wants to fight UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to unify the featherweight titles and really cement his legacy in the sport.

“I am asking for that,” said Pitbull, who listed Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko in a conversation about GOATs. “Let’s put the belt on the line and let’s see.”