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

Yair Rodriguez didn’t want a lot convincing to signal on to welcome Patricio Pitbull to the octagon, however that didn’t cease 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 cease a two-fight skid on the expense of Pitbull, the longtime Bellator star making his UFC debut. Each fighters appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, with Pitbull boasting that he despatched a direct message to Rodriguez daring him to “present me that Mexican delight.”

When requested about Pitbull’s method, Rodriguez didn’t sound offended however prided himself on not taking the bait.

“I believe the man was simply actually enthusiastic about combating within the UFC,” Rodriguez stated. “I believe in all probability the one means he was going to make that occur is that if I settle for the battle. Each time he DM’d me, I stated, ‘Yeah man, certain, let’s do it.’ He was simply attempting to get me to react, however I’m over that f*cking shit.

“That, for me, is sort of a mad girlfriend transfer. I simply don’t fall for that shit.”

When Pitbull lastly makes the stroll to the octagon, it should cap off a saga that noticed him publicly request his launch from PFL—Pitbull competed for Bellator, which was acquired by PFL in November 2023—have it granted, and ultimately have his UFC signing and the Rodriguez matchup introduced on the similar time.

Pitbull was a three-time Bellator featherweight champion and held the promotion’s light-weight title as nicely, so there may be loads of demand for him to share the cage with the UFC’s high stars. Headlining the April 12 occasion is a battle between former UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for a vacant featherweight title, which may imply both Rodriguez or Pitbull getting the decision as a substitute ought to one of many fundamental occasion rivals be unable to compete.

In that scenario, Rodriguez is definite he has precedence over Pitbull.

“I believe there isn’t any query about that, I might get the decision,” Rodriguez stated. “Patricio’s simply getting signed to the UFC, I don’t suppose there’s even a dialog about it.”

Rodriguez, a former interim featherweight champion, isn’t even serious about stepping as much as the primary occasion. His focus is absolutely on Pitbull, a newcomer with a lifetime of pre-UFC expertise underneath his belt.

“I believe all these guys combating within the huge leagues, they’ve the expertise to be combating and competing on the most stage,” Rodriguez stated. “Generally it’s simply contracts, typically it’s alternatives, typically it’s many issues, however I believe all of those guys are actually harmful and proficient and so they in all probability simply want a possibility to show it.”

Unfortunate. Dan Hooker discusses the injury that forced him out of a extremely anticipated battle with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.

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

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

Free. Matt Brown needs to see PFL do the right thing in terms of Aaron Pico.

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

Eubank Jr. vs. Benn press convention.

Chef Volk cooks up some steaks.

All the time studying.

Teddy Atlas breaks down The Final Crescendo.

Watch this Justin Gaethje battle, you’ll really feel higher.

UFC Vegas 103 prep.

Fighter vs. Author. MMA Combating’s Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown, who weighs in on the UFC Seattle fundamental occasion controversy, Ilia Topuria’s featherweight exit, and the PFL’s dealing with of Aaron Pico.

LOL.

Don’t tempt me with a superb time.

You gotta give the individuals what they need.

Rematch?

That’s a little bit factor known as selling.

39 years younger.

That is at all times a visit.

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

I’m so amped up for these upcoming UFC 314 and UFC 315 occasions (sure, UFC 315, again in Montreal!) that I nearly forgot there’s an occasion this Saturday? And it’s acquired a fantastic headliner, with Manel Kape taking over Asu Almabayev in what needs to be a No. 1 contender battle within the flyweight division.

Are you all wanting ahead to this or is it a relaxation weekend forward of subsequent Saturday’s pay-per-view?

If you happen to discover one thing you’d wish to see within the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and tell us about it. Additionally, comply with MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.