Bellator featherweight champion Patricio 'Pitbull' Friere has called out UFC boss Dana White for having "no balls" after challenging him to a $1million bet.
Friere defended his 145lb title this past weekend with a one-sided win over Adam Borics at Bellator 286, improving his record to 34-5 in the process. Friere is a two-weight Bellator world champion and has held the featherweight belt three times in the promotion.
Following his win over Borics, 'Pitbull' was asked about a potential cross-promotion fight against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
"I bet $1million and he [Volkanovski] accepted that, but Dana White doesn't have balls," Friere told reporters. Two years ago, the Brazilian issued a $1million bet with White that he could beat any of his top champions, stating that Bellator would pardon him from his contractual duties to have a one-off fight in the UFC.
Friere wrote: "I'm sure if Dana White and the UFC are open to it, Bellator will let me go there fight their champions. I will even personally bet $1 million dollars with White that I win. How does that sound for an incentive?"
Volkanovski agreed to the fight by replying: "Easiest money you will ever make, Dana White, let’s make it happen." However, White later dismissed Friere's challenge and claimed he didn't even know who he was by stating: "Oh Pitbull? I don't know, I honestly couldn't tell you."
Friere didn't take kindly to White's dismissive comments and cited his win over Michael Chandler, who has gone on to become a top contender in the UFC. "Hi Dana White I'm the one who destroyed Chandler, whom you said deserves a talk, in 61 seconds. If you send some of your top fighters to Bellator I can do the same to them too. Let's bet like you did with Pride," he replied.
Who would win in a fight: Bellator champion Patricio Friere or UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below!
'Pitbull' is one of Bellator's most accomplished fighters and holds several records in the promotion, such as the most wins and the first fighter to have four separate championship reigns. Nonetheless, it is unlikely that White would entertain Friere's challenge, with Volkanovski already targeting a second UFC belt, having almost cleared out all of the top featherweight contenders.
"I really want three fights this year, but it has to be the right one. After this one, I want that double-champ status," Volkanovski said before defending his belt in July. My division is in a spot where we can see what happens while I go after that double-champ lightweight title fight."
