Pitbull: UFC continuing operations amid pandemic 'seems inhuman'

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Warning: Story contains coarse language

Bellator two-division champion Patricio Freire isn't a fan of the UFC's approach to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Pitbull" criticized the rival promotion for trying to put on events during the global health crisis, a move he believes is solely about making money.

"(UFC) is only making noise for the media, creating a mess and making money," Freire told MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz.

"My impression is that fighters come last, right? Fulfilling contracts come first, making money, and f--- it," the Brazilian continued. "Bring entertainment for those at home, and f--- the fighter if he's going to catch the virus or die. It seems inhuman."

UFC president Dana White has been adamant about continuing operations amid the COVID-19 outbreak, but the promotion has still been forced to postpone several cards. As of now, the UFC reportedly plans to hold its next event, UFC 249, on May 9 in Florida.

Bellator, meanwhile, has taken a more reserved approach to the pandemic, postponing five events. There isn't a Bellator card officially scheduled until Oct. 3.

Bellator president Scott Coker said last week he's prepared to resume operations as early as June or July if a state athletic commission is willing to regulate the events and administer COVID-19 testing. Coker expects many events during the remainder of 2020 will take place on studio production lots rather than in arenas with fans.

"If it was my money, (and) if I were a billionaire, I would do what Bellator is doing," Freire said. "... Wait for the market to react, and when the government opens everything, when you can bring in fighters from other continents, OK. If that possibility is real, let’s have an event."

Freire, Bellator's lightweight and featherweight champion, was slated to defend his 145-pound belt against Pedro Carvalho on March 13, but the promotion called off the event just hours before it was scheduled to start. The show had initially been closed off to fans.

Freire, whose bout against Carvalho was set for the Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinals, is coming off a win over Juan Archuleta at Bellator 228 last September in the opening round of the tournament.