Patricio "Pitbull" Freire. Pic by USA TODAY Sports. Credit: Jerry Lai

According to a press release on January 14, 2025, Professional Fighters League will be discontinuing the Bellator MMA brand going forward.

The rosters will be combined and Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion, Patrício “Pitbull” Freire, has been released from his contract, vacating the title in the process.

There have been no announcements on how the combined PFL promotion will now go forward, however there are preliminary reports that PFL seasons will now consist of simple tournaments and the Bellator titles will be transitioned into PFL titles.