Pitbull has something to prove.
Former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull returns to action against longtime Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight brawler Doo Ho Choi in the “Featured Fight” of UFC 331 this weekend (Sat., Sept. 19, 2026) inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Pitbull fought his way out of his Bellator/PFL contract and finally joined UFC at 37 years old, several years removed from his athletic prime. Nevertheless, expectations remained high for
the Brazilian legend, who left Bellator as the winningest fighter in the promotion’s history and a three-time Featherweight champion.
Unfortunately, Pitbull has yet to display the speed, power and aggression that made him such a special fighter to watch for nearly two decades. Through three underwhelming Octagon appearances, it appears Father Time has finally caught up with the Brazilian legend.
Pitbull agrees that UFC fans have not seen the best version of him.
“I haven’t liked any of [my UFC fights],” Pitbull told reporters when asked to evaluate his UFC career thus far. “I don’t think I’ve shown my potential at all in any of those fights, but I do want to bring that out in this performance.”
Pitbull is currently 1-2 inside the Octagon, suffering losses to Yair Rodriguez and Aaron Pico while scoring his lone victory against Dan Ige. All three opponents were ranked, so UFC certainly has not given him an easy introduction.
He now takes a small step back in the rankings against Choi, but not necessarily in danger.
“The Korean Superboy” appears to have turned the corner in his own career and enters UFC 331 riding a three-fight winning streak, with all three victories coming by stoppage. Choi’s aggressive style should also give Pitbull more opportunities to open up than he found in his previous UFC appearances.
On paper, this looks like the perfect matchup for Pitbull to remind everyone why he was considered one of the best Featherweights outside UFC for so many years.
It could also provide further proof that those years have finally caught up with him.
Can Pitbull turn back the clock in Los Angeles?
Time will tell.
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