MMA community reacts to Patricky Freire’s controversial decision defeat of Benson Henderson

Last night, Bellator MMA returned to San Jose, California with the stacked Bellator 183. In the card’s main event, we watched former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson collide with long-time Bellator lightweight contender Patricky “Pitbull” Freire.

As is so often the case when it comes to Benson Henderson fights, this one was incredibly close. For three rounds, we watched Henderson relentlessly pursue the takedown, effectively shutting down Pitbull’s offense as he did, while Pitbull denied all of those takedown attempts, depriving Henderson of the opportunity to rack up points in the judges’ eyes.

In the end, the judges sided with Pitbull, awarding him a controversial split decision win. As is always the case when it comes to close fights, this one generated some interesting reactions on Twitter. See some of the best ones below:

Is it me, or has nothing really happened so far in this fight? #Bellator183

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) September 24, 2017

notice the pace and lackluster entertainment in this matchup…THAT is what I have brought to the table since day 1.

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 24, 2017

That takedown defense is impeccable

— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) September 24, 2017

I got Ben winning every round. Call me biased but he should get the W #bellator183 #labelite

— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) September 24, 2017

Disagree with that decision!

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 24, 2017

Bullshit on that decision. That was Bens W #bellator183 pic.twitter.com/qDOlK6mogX

— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) September 24, 2017

Ben Henderson won that fight

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) September 24, 2017

Controversial or not, this win over Benson Henderson served as another big step toward a lightweight title shot for Pitbull. The Brazilian bomber made sure to capitalize on this fact in his post-fight chat with commentator Jimmy Smith.

“I want the champion,” he said. “I want Brent Primus. Tonight I took down another former champion and I want my shot at that belt. He keeps running from me but now it’s time. I want that belt and after tonight I earned my shot at it. Benson Henderson is a good, tough fighter, but I’ve got my mind on the division title now. You can’t keep running Primus.”

While Pitbull is certainly closing in on a title shot, he might still be behind former champion Michael Chandler in that race. Time will tell.

What do you think of Patricky Pitbull’s close decision win over Benson Henderson?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 9/24/2017.