UFC president Dana White might not be interested in a cross-promotional fight with Bellator, but champions from the two organizations certainly are.
White recently dismissed the idea of doing business with Bellator, downplaying its roster and saying there are no potential matchups that would be significant enough to do it. That caught the ire of Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patricio Freire, who went after the UFC boss and proposed a $1 million bet that he would emerge victorious against a UFC titleholder.
That bit of news apparently crossed the radar of UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who took to social media and said he welcomes a clash with “Pitbull” (via Twitter):
Easiest money you will ever make @danawhite, let’s make it happen pic.twitter.com/qXkvExxwgn
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) August 26, 2020
Easiest money you will ever make @danawhite, let’s make it happen
Volkanovski’s (22-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) response was mouthwatering to Freire (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA), who continued his push to incentivize White to open the door to a champion-vs.-champion affair (via Twitter):
I’ll remember those words after I knock you out. Put your money where your mouth is @danawhite @ufc. Let’s go @ScottCoker @BellatorMMA https://t.co/HJubTjTVIO
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) August 26, 2020
I’ll remember those words after I knock you out. Put your money where your mouth is @danawhite @ufc. Let’s go @ScottCoker @BellatorMMA
@alexvolkanovski just so u know U are fighting Pitbull the fighter not the rapper. I’m glad u recovered from ur cauliflower pussy. @danawhite it wud be my pleasure 2take ur $, I’ll even pay 4 Alex The Average’s hospital bills. It wud B an Honor to wear Max Holloway’s Belt. #LFG
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) August 26, 2020
Just so u know U are fighting Pitbull the fighter not the rapper. I’m glad u recovered from ur cauliflower pussy. @danawhit it wud be my pleasure 2take ur $, I’ll even pay 4 Alex The Average’s hospital bills. It wud B an Honor to wear Max Holloway’s Belt. #LFG
Volkanovski, No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA featherweight rankings, is coming off a split-decision win over Max Holloway at UFC 251 in July in his first title defense. No. 5-ranked Freire, meanwhile, most recently defended his 145-pound belt against Juan Archuleta at Bellator 228 in September.
Bellator champ Patricio Freire unloads on Alexander Volkanovski after UFC champ’s dig