Morning Report: Yair Rodriguez claims Patricio Pitbull was DM’ing him like “mad girlfriend” for UFC 314 date

Yair Rodriguez didn’t need much convincing to sign on to welcome Patricio Pitbull to the octagon, but that didn’t stop Pitbull from prodding him anyway.

The featherweight veterans are set to face off at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami, with Rodriguez aiming to stop a two-fight skid at the expense of Pitbull, the longtime Bellator star making his UFC debut. Both fighters appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, with Pitbull boasting that he sent a direct message to Rodriguez daring him to “show me that Mexican pride.”

When asked about Pitbull’s approach, Rodriguez didn’t sound offended but prided himself on not taking the bait.

“I think the guy was just really excited about fighting in the UFC,” Rodriguez said. “I think probably the only way he was going to make that happen is if I accept the fight. Whenever he DM’d me, I said, ‘Yeah man, sure, let’s do it.’ He was just trying to get me to react, but I’m over that f*cking shit.

“That, for me, is like a mad girlfriend move. I just don’t fall for that shit.”

When Pitbull finally makes the walk to the octagon, it will cap off a saga that saw him publicly request his release from PFL—Pitbull competed for Bellator, which was acquired by PFL in November 2023—have it granted, and eventually have his UFC signing and the Rodriguez matchup announced at the same time.

Pitbull was a three-time Bellator featherweight champion and held the promotion’s lightweight title as well, so there is plenty of demand for him to share the cage with the UFC’s top stars. Headlining the April 12 event is a fight between former UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for a vacant featherweight title, which could mean either Rodriguez or Pitbull getting the call as a replacement should one of the main event competitors be unable to compete.

In that situation, Rodriguez is certain he has priority over Pitbull.

“I think there is no question about that, I would get the call,” Rodriguez said. “Patricio’s just getting signed to the UFC, I don’t think there’s even a conversation about it.”

Rodriguez, a former interim featherweight champion, isn’t even thinking about stepping up to the main event. His focus is fully on Pitbull, a newcomer with a lifetime of pre-UFC experience under his belt.

“I think all these guys fighting in the big leagues, they have the talent to be fighting and competing at the maximum level,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes it’s just contracts, sometimes it’s opportunities, sometimes it’s many things, but I think all of these guys are really dangerous and talented and they probably just need an opportunity to prove it.”

Unlucky. Dan Hooker discusses the injury that forced him out of a highly anticipated fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.

Replacement. Who do you want to see step up and fight Gaethje in Hooker’s place?

Fans. You, the readers, weigh in on which fighter might take on Gaethje.

Free. Matt Brown wants to see PFL do the right thing when it comes to Aaron Pico.

Egg. Chris Eubank Jr. hit Conor Benn with an egg during their faceoff. Explains itself.

Eubank Jr. vs. Benn press conference.

Chef Volk cooks up some steaks.

Always learning.

Teddy Atlas breaks down The Last Crescendo.

Watch this Justin Gaethje fight, you’ll feel better.

UFC Vegas 103 prep.

Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown, who weighs in on the UFC Seattle main event controversy, Ilia Topuria’s featherweight exit, and the PFL’s handling of Aaron Pico.

LOL.

Don’t tempt me with a good time.

You gotta give the people what they want.

Rematch?

That’s a little thing called promoting.

39 years young.

This is always a trip.

Jose Aldo (32-9) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (12-2); UFC 315, May 10

I’m so amped up for these upcoming UFC 314 and UFC 315 events (yes, UFC 315, back in Montreal!) that I almost forgot there’s an event this Saturday? And it’s got a great headliner, with Manel Kape taking on Asu Almabayev in what should be a No. 1 contender fight in the flyweight division.

Are you all looking forward to this or is it a rest weekend ahead of next Saturday’s pay-per-view?

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