Juan Archuleta is not hiding his fears about the future of his MMA career now that PFL purchased Bellator. With this, the fighter, who is also fighting for Japan’s RIZIN, urged the promotion to be true to its words that it is a fighter-friendly promotion.
Archuleta has a complex situation in his MMA career. Despite having a contract with Bellator, the company allowed him to fight for RIZIN in Japan. However, with the PFL being the new owner of Bellator, a lot of things are expected to change. That might include Archuleta’s agreement with Bellator before the acquisition. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, the fighter expressed frustration about PFL’s answer when he asked about his earlier agreements with Bellator, including a fight with Patchy Mix.
“I’ve even asked some people like, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’” Archuleta shared. “I even asked Don Davis, ‘Hey, man. I was promised the Patchy Mix title (fight). Is that still going on?’ And he was just like, ‘Oh, there’s going to be plenty of fights throughout the year, so we’ll see.’ I’m like, ‘Well, that’s pretty gray.’ I don’t know what’s going to happen with that.”
For Archuleta, he only wants to have a plethora of options in his fights. With this, “The Spaniard” hopes that his arrangements with Bellator and RIZIN will continue under PFL, adding that the latter will also offer him other fights fit for him. Ultimately, the 36-year-old wants PFL to prove its words about being a pro-fighter company by giving its talents all opportunities possible.
“You’re talking about being a global combat community, pay it forward for the fighters, let the fighters do more of what they want. This is your opportunity to show that,” said Archuleta. “Show me I can have my career with Rizin as well as PFL and Bellator. This is what you’re saying you do as a promotion. Be different; be a global combat. I’m in a very awesome position to unite three organizations under one roof. No one else is going to be able to do that. So why burn this bridge or give it up just to have me there?”
Fortunately for Archuleta, PFL agreeing with this is not impossible. As reported earlier, the promotion wants to adopt Bellator’s relationship with RIZIN. For RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara, nonetheless, it wouldn’t be instant, saying the continuation of this relationship will depend on whether the PFL and his company have the “same vision.”
