Patricio “Pitbull” Freire News
UFC 314 | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2025
On the main card of UFC 314, an intriguing featherweight bout goes down as Yair Rodriguez takes on Patricio Pitbull. Heading into the fight, Rodriguez is a -205 favorite, while the former Bellator champ-champ is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the featherweight bout. The pros believe this will be a close fight, but the slight majority believe it will be Rodriguez edging out a decision.
Patricio Pitbull admits fighting for the UFC feels 'different’ than Bellator
BJ Penn Staff - April 10, 2025
There are a lot of reasons to be excited for this Saturday’s UFC 314 card in Miami. For hardcore fans, one of the most anticipated features of the card will be the UFC debut of Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull. Pitbull, 37, is probably the greatest fighter in Bellator history, having reigned as both the featherweight and lightweight champion over the course of his many years with the promotion.
Patricio Pitbull decides to end Michael Chandler feud following recent apology
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2025
UFC newcomer Patricio Pitbull has decided to put an end to his rivalry with Michael Chandler following a recent apology. As we know, Patricio Pitbull is one of the most exciting new names to walk through the doors of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This weekend, he’ll attempt to prove that the hype is warranted when he battles Yair Rodriguez. A lot of fans and pundits aren’t quite sure to expect from him at this point in his career, but either way, it’s just great to see the former Bellator sensation in the UFC.
UFC 314: MMA legend wonders if Patricio 'Pitbull' has 'too many miles on the clock'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer wonders if Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has had too many wars going into UFC 314. Freire will be making his long-awaited UFC debut on April 12 in Miami. The former two-division Bellator champion will be going one-on-one with Yair Rodriguez. The featherweight collision will be featured on the main card of UFC 314.
Patricio Pitbull reveals two-fight plan for UFC title push
Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025
UFC newcomer Patricio Pitbull has revealed the plan that he hopes will fast-track him to a world title opportunity. At UFC 314, we look set to finally see the debut of Patricio Pitbull in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he may be at an advanced point in his career, we’re talking about one of the all-time best. As was the case with Michael Chandler, Patricio has spent years building a name for himself outside of the promotion – most notably in Bellator.
Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire reveals what fans can expect in UFC 314 fight against Yair Rodriguez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is confident that he will prove himself to be the best featherweight in the world. Freire will finally be making his UFC debut on April 12. The former two-division Bellator champion will share the Octagon with Yair Rodriguez on the main card of UFC 314 in Miami. It’s been a long time coming for the 37-year-old, who has garnered Hall of Fame worthy accolades during his time in Bellator.
Michael Chandler not interested in reigniting feud with Patricio Pitbull under the UFC banner: “I’m not a guy who tries to get anything back”
Harry Kettle - March 12, 2025
Michael Chandler isn’t interested in reigniting his Bellator feud with Patricio Pitbull now that they’re both in the UFC. As we know, Michael Chandler has achieved some incredible things in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. What some fans forget, however, is that he already had a great resume before that, courtesy of his tenure in Bellator.
Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire sends brief warning to Yair Rodriguez ahead of UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 11, 2025
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is planning to make his UFC debut an emphatic one. It’s been a long time coming for Freire, who will finally step inside the Octagon for the first time at UFC 314 on April 12. The former multiple-time Bellator champion will be facing Yair Rodriguez inside Kaseya Center in Miami.
Patricio Pitbull reveals he would've retired if the UFC declined to sign him: "It was them or retirement"
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull would’ve retired if the UFC didn’t sign him. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the cage since a knockout win over UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy last March. That victory wound up being Patricio Pitbull’s final appearance in the Bellator cage, as he was released from the PFL last month. The move came after the featherweight publically feuded with company executive Donn Davis over inactivity.
Dana White discusses UFC signing Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
UFC president Dana White has spoken candidly about the promotion’s decision to sign Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull to a contract. As we now know, Patricio Pitbull has officially been signed to a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s set to make his official debut at UFC 314, with the plan being for him to battle it out with Yair Rodriguez at featherweight. Of course, many fans are already wondering about the possibility of him going on to compete for a world title.
Michael Chandler reacts to Patricio Pitbull's decision to join the UFC: "If he plays his cards right..."
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
Lightweight contender Michael Chandler is happy to see Patricio Pitbull in the UFC. ‘Iron’ recently signed a deal to return to the cage at UFC 314 in Miami. Fresh off a loss to Charles Oliveira in November, Michael Chandler will face off with the rising Paddy Pimblett in April. For his part, ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission victory over ‘King’ Bobby Green last summer.
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.
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.
PFL releases longtime Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull after lengthy rant: "We are all about opportunity"
Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull is no longer with the PFL. When Donn Davis and the PFL bought Bellator in late 2023, there was a lot of optimism from all parties involved. The new owners promised a loaded schedule for 2024 and quickly revealed a new broadcasting deal with Max. Sadly for Bellator fighters such as Patricio Pitbull, many of those promises went unfulfilled.
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.
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.