Patricio “Pitbull” Freire News
Bellator champion Patricio Freire goes off on PFL season format: "To me, that's bullsh*t"
Fernando Quiles - February 14, 2024
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire isn’t exactly gung-ho over PFL’s season format. Freire was invited to the final PFL event of 2023, and he had a staredown with the 2023 featherweight winner Jesus Pineda. While “Pitbull” seemed to be content with the festivities, he isn’t totally sold on what PFL founder Donn Davis is presenting. He recently had some surprising comments on how he feels about the PFL show he attended, as well as the season format.
Patricio Freire thinks Michael Chandler turned into a "b*tch" after signing UFC deal, feels Conor McGregor could KO him
Fernando Quiles - February 8, 2024
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire believes Michael Chandler has gone soft since joining the UFC roster. It’s no secret that former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has been biding his time for a lucrative matchup against Conor McGregor. The “Notorious” one has expressed frustration with the UFC over what he believes to be stalling on the promotion’s end. UFC CEO Dana White is hoping to have the fight booked for the fall of 2024.
Patricio Pitbull interested in UFC signing as Bellator-PFL deal looms: "My career deserves it"
Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2023
Former Bellator two-weight champion Patricio Pitbull is interested in heading to the UFC. The Brazilian has been out of action since a short-notice clash with Chihiro Suzuki in July. Stepping up on just a few days’ notice at Bellator X RIZIN 2, Patricio Pitbull suffered a first-round knockout loss. The defeat was the second in a row for the champion, previously losing to Sergio Pettis in June.
Bellator 297: Pros react after Sergio Pettis defeats Patricio Pitbull
Zain Bando - June 16, 2023
Sergio Pettis and Patricio Pitbull locked horns in tonight’s Bellator 297 co-main event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill. Arguably the two best non-UFC lighter-weight fighters, Pettis and Pitbull were unifying their respective titles, with the winner earning the bantamweight title and a matchup with interim champion Patchy Mix. Mix had stated during an impromptu media availability Saturday night that he looked forward to watching the fight as a fan and is excited for whoever he gets to face next. Pettis was returning to the Bellator cage after nursing a knee injury, while Pitbull entered the contest sporting a 35-5 record, having fought the likes of Michael Chandler, Juan Archuleta, and AJ McKee, to name a few.
Patricio Pitbull expecting to dominate Sergio Pettis to win third Bellator championship: "Put him down"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull expects to stop Sergio Pettis this weekend. The Brazilian has been out of action since a non-title clash with Kleber Koike Erbst last December. There, Patricio Pitbull scored a unanimous decision win, his third in a row. That April, he re-earned the featherweight title by avenging his prior loss to A.J. McKee, defeating ‘Mercenary’ by decision.
Bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis eyes second title after he gets past Patricio Freire at Bellator 297
Harry Kettle - June 7, 2023
Sergio Pettis has got his eyes set on a second world title if he’s able to get past Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire at Bellator 297. Next weekend in Chicago, Sergio Pettis will go head to head with Patricio Pitbull. He’ll be defending his Bellator bantamweight championship against a man who is widely considered to be the best fighter in Bellator history. If Pitbull is able to secure the win, he’ll also become the first man to be a three-weight champion in a major organization.
Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull thinks media ignores his accomplishments: "It will be on them"
Fernando Quiles - May 28, 2023
Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire believes media members have been ignoring what he has accomplished. Not only is Freire the reigning three-time Bellator champion at 145 pounds, but he’s also the promotion’s former lightweight champion. If he makes weight and defeats Sergio Pettis at Bellator 297, he’ll become the new Bellator Bantamweight Champion, making him a rare three-division MMA champion.
Patricio Pitbull slams Illinois commission, scolds Bellator after brother Patricky is forced to wait over 5 hours for medical attention (Photo)
Fernando Quiles - November 20, 2022
Bellator Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is none too pleased with the Illinois athletic commission and Bellator. Freire’s brother, Patricky, put the Bellator Lightweight Championship on the line against Usman Nurmagomedov inside Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The title fight served as the co-main event of Bellator 288. Nurmagomedov had a dominant showing and swept the scorecards for a unanimous decision victory. He’s now the new Bellator Lightweight Champion.
Patricio Pitbull discusses a potential crossover fight with UFC champion Alex Volkanovski: “Dana White doesn’t have balls”
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2022
Patricio Pitbull has given his thoughts on a possible crossover fight against UFC featherweight king Alex Volkanovski. When it comes to figuring out who the pound for pound best fighter in the sport is, it’s hard to look past Alex Volkanovski. The Australian sensation has turned away everyone that’s stepped in his path since joining the UFC, including Max Holloway on three separate occasions.
Patricio Freire responds to boobirds following Bellator 286 win: "F*ck you, man. I don't care about that"
Fernando Quiles - October 2, 2022
Patricio Freire isn’t about to apologize for his performance at Bellator 286. “Pitbull” put the Bellator Featherweight Championship on the line against Adam Borics at Bellator 286. The action took place inside Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. The title fight went the distance, but the lack of action left fans feeling restless.
Bellator 286 Fighter Salaries: Patricio Freire takes home $150k
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2022
The fighter salaries from tonight’s Bellator 286 event have been revealed and to no surprise champion Patricio Freire topped the list. Freire (34-5 MMA) was returning to action this evening for the first time since reclaiming the promotions 145lbs title with a unanimous decision win over A.J. McKee at April’s Bellator 277 event.
Bellator 286 Results: Patricio Freire defeats Adam Borics (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2022
Patricio Freire put his featherweight title on the line against Adam Borics in the headliner of tonight’s Bellator 286 event. Freire (34-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since April’s Bellator 277 event, where he reclaimed the promotions 145lbs title with a unanimous decision win over A.J. McKee. ‘Pitbull’ had gone 8-1 over his past nine Bellator appearances ahead of tonight’s event.
Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics, A.J. McKee lightweight debut set for Bellator 286
Josh Evanoff - August 3, 2022
Patricio Pitbull, Adam Borics, and A.J. McKee have been added to Bellator 286 in October. In April, the Brazilian faced off with ‘Mercenary’ for the second time. They first faced off at Bellator 263 in July 2021, with the Bellator featherweight title on the line. That outing saw McKee capture the strap with a stunning first-round submission victory.
Scott Coker reveals Patricio Pitbull vs. A.J. McKee 3 is likely on the way: "That fight deserves to have a trilogy"
Josh Evanoff - April 22, 2022
Scott Coker has revealed that fans will likely see a Patricio Pitbull and A.J. McKee trilogy bout in the future. The two featherweights are coming off back to back clashes with one another. Their first encounter at Bellator 263 in July 2021 saw McKee win the Bellator Grand Prix by submission. Their follow-up bout at Bellator 277 last week saw Pitbull reclaim the featherweight title via unanimous decision.
Rampage Jackson reacts to 'McKee vs. Pitbull 2' decision: "That was the worst robbery I've ever seen in MMA"
Chris Taylor - April 16, 2022
Rampage Jackson says that Friday’s ‘McKee vs. Pitbull 2’ fight resulted in the worst robbery he’s ever seen in MMA. McKee (18-1 MMA, 18-1 BMMA) and Freire (33-5 MMA, 21-5 BMMA) collided for a second time in the headliner of Bellator 277 last night in San Jose.
Pros react to A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Freire 2 at Bellator 277
Chris Taylor - April 15, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 277 event was headlined by a featherweight title fight rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio Freire. McKee (18-1 MMA, 18-1 BMMA) was looking to earn his first career title defense when he squared off with ‘Pitbull’ for a second time this evening. ‘The Mercenary’ had won 5 of his previous 7 bouts in the very first round ahead of tonight’s affair.
Bellator 277: ‘McKee vs. Pitbull 2’ Live Results and Highlights
Susan Cox - April 15, 2022
Bellator 277 takes place today, Friday April 15th with official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). The event takes place at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The main card airs on ‘Showtime’ following the online prelims.
A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Pitbull rematch set for Bellator 277 in April
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2022
Bellator 277 has officially been announced for April 15th. The event is packing heat and has two of their biggest title fights of the year scheduled for it. The main event of the card will be the second chapter in the rivalry between A.J. McKee and Patricio Pitbull. The two first met at Bellator 263, where ‘Mercenary’ defeated the champion via first-round submission to claim featherweight gold. The bout was the finals of Bellator’s 2020 featherweight Grand Prix.