Fans have been left baffled by how Patricio Pitbull gained extra motivation for last Saturday’s event.
The former two-division Bellator champion was among the biggest winners on the UFC 331 card in Los Angeles.
After a difficult run inside the Octagon, Pitbull delivered his best performance in the promotion so far at an event headlined by Joshua Van’s second flyweight title defense.
The Brazilian was seemingly more motivated than before, but that was actually down to a misconception about his contractual status in the UFC.
If you were Dana White, who’s the first fighter you’d cut from the UFC roster?
Patricio Pitbull mistakenly thought UFC 331 was the final fight on his contract
Pitbull thought he was fighting for his career at UFC 331, believing he was the latest big name completing their contract.
Weeks after the UFC opted against re-signing Michael ‘Venom’ Page, the featherweight veteran thought he was potentially heading for the same fate after the September 19 event.
As it turns out, there’s a good reason why Pitbull never received a call from the UFC higher-ups to renegotiate his deal.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the 39-year-old revealed he was wrong about the duration of his deal, clarifying that it did not end at UFC 331.
“I was wrong about this. I thought that was my last one, because I needed that motivation,” Pitbull said.
“I don’t know for (sure), but I have six in total. I think (I have two fights left).
“If I lost that fight, I knew it was possible they could cut me. My last fight wasn’t good. I knew all the pressure was there, but I was positive,” he added.
Some fans were reacting with shock at Pitbull’s claim on social media, questioning how a legendary fighter competing in the sport’s top organization could possibly not know such a crucial contractual detail.
“Kid, did you sign for three (fights) or not? Did you even look at the contract?”
“How can so many fighters be oblivious to something as black and white as how many fights they have on their contract? Is it not stated plainly on their contract?”
“Motivation or motivation to renegotiate?”
“Biggest cap I’ve heard.”
After losing to Yair Rodriguez in his debut, Pitbull defeated Dan Ige to enter the winner’s circle in the UFC for the first time.
Before having his hand raised again at UFC 331, Pitbull was beaten by Aaron Pico at UFC 327 this past April after having his nose broken early.
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