Patricio “Pitbull” Freire News
Patricio Pitbull takes aim at Aljamain Sterling for rejecting offer to fight him: "He ran!"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2025
Former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull is taking aim at Aljamain Sterling ahead of his UFC debut. The 37-year-old hasn’t been seen in the cage for nearly a year. Last March, Patricio Pitbull made what would be his final Bellator appearance, scoring a third-round knockout win over UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy. Afterward, the Brazilian was famously kept on the sidelines. Due to the inactivity, Pitbull requested and was later granted his release from the PFL.
Patricio Pitbull sends message to featherweight division after joining the UFC: "Your future king has arrived!"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull has sent a message after joining the UFC. The Brazilian was one of the key faces of the Bellator brand for well over a decade. From 2010 to 2024, Patricio Pitbull racked up title defense after title defense, and title after title. During his tenure with Scott Coker, he scored victories over names such as A.J. McKee, Michael Chandler, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Wilson Reis.
Dana White talks potential interest in ex-Bellator stars Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire and Aaron Pico
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has weighed in on the possibility of Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Aaron Pico entering the Octagon. Freire was recently granted his release from the PFL after publicly sharing his gripes with how the promotion handled fighters under the Bellator banner. “Pitbull” felt Bellator’s demise began when the PFL took over and he felt the promotion’s co-founder Donn Davis had no real plan in place.
Patricio Pitbull reveals who he wants next ahead of possible UFC signing: "I want that belt!"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull knows who he wants in his UFC debut. The Brazilian was last seen in the Bellator cage last March in Belfast. There, Patricio Pitbull earned the first title defense of his third stint with featherweight gold, scoring a knockout win over Jeremy Kennedy. Following the victory, the 37-year-old called for a clash with the hard-hitting Aaron Pico. Despite rumors of a late 2024 bout between the two, it never came to fruition.
Donn Davis defends PFL after backlash from Bellator fighters, Patricio Pitbull responds: "You said you'd honor everyone's contracts"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2024
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has responded to PFL founder Donn Davis. As many fans have likely noticed over the last few weeks, Bellator fighters aren’t happy. Last fall, the PFL and Donn Davis bought the longtime Viacom brand and promised to honor the roster’s contracts. Quickly, the company announced a new streaming deal with HBO Max and revealed a massive schedule for 2024.
Patricio Pitbull aiming for UFC signing after requesting release from PFL: "For me it's about legacy"
Josh Evanoff - December 16, 2024
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull is ready to head to the UFC. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Jeremy Kennedy in March at Bellator Champions Series 1. The bout was the first title defense, of his third stint with featherweight gold and he made it look easy. In round three, Patricio Pitbull put ‘The Bandit’ away with a devastating combination to earn a knockout win.
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix request release due to inactivity: "Let me go respectfully"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix have become the latest to request a release. It’s been just over a year since Donn Davis and the PFL bought Bellator. When the deal was first announced, there was a lot of excitement among fighters, because of what they were told. PFL executives including Davis promised fighters the opportunity to compete in either the tournament format, or hop over to Bellator and fight in one-off events.
Bellator champion Patricio Freire criticizes PFL for lack of fights post-merger
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 24, 2024
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is not happy with how the PFL-Bellator merger has played out. Freire is the reigning Bellator featherweight champion. Frustration looms with the titleholder, however, as he hasn’t fought since March. Freire, like many other Bellator fighters, have grown tired of waiting for fights since the acquisition by PFL.
PFL vs. Bellator card finalized, Patricio Pitbull receives replacement opponent
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2024
The PFL vs. Bellator card is now finalized and features the return of Patricio Pitbull. Last November, the PFL completed their long-awaited buyout of Bellator. For most of 2023, there were discussions about the Scott Coker-led brand being bought. In the end, Donn Davis and the company decided that a roster containing the likes of the aforementioned Patricio Pitbull and Cris Cyborg was too good to pass up.
Bellator champion Patricio Freire goes off on PFL season format: "To me, that's bullsh*t"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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 Jr. - 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.
Anthony Pettis shares hefty bet on brother Sergio ahead of Bellator 297 fight against Patricio Pitbull
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2023
Anthony Pettis will be backing his brother Sergio Pettis in a big way ahead of Bellator 297. In the co-main event of Bellator 297 on Friday night in Chicago, Pettis is looking to defend his bantamweight title for the second time as he takes on Patricio Pitbull. The Brazilian is the current Bellator featherweight champ and former lightweight champ but is dropping down in weight as he looks to become a three-weight world champion.
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 Jr. - 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.
Henry Cejudo shares his prediction for a hypothetical crossover fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Patricio Pitbull
Harry Kettle - October 4, 2022
Henry Cejudo has given his thoughts on a potential crossover match-up between Patricio Pitbull and Alex Volkanovski. It’s no secret that Alex Volkanovski is widely considered to be one of the best mixed martial artists in the world, largely due to the incredible record he’s been able to string together on his way to becoming the UFC featherweight 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.