Patrício Freire

Patrício "Pitbull" Freire (born July 7, 1987 in Natal, Brazil) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator MMA where he is the current Bellator Lightweight World Champion and two-time and current Featherweight World Champion. He is the younger brother of lightweight fighter Patricky Freire. He is the second-ever simultaneous two-weight champion in Bellator MMA history. He is currently ranked as the #3 Featherweight in the world by FightMatrix.com, and the #10 pound for pound fighter in the world by Combat Press. He is also ranked as the #1 Featherweight fighter outside of the UFC by Ranking MMA.[3]

Patrício Freire
BornPatrício Freire
(1987-07-07) July 7, 1987
Natal, Brazil
Other namesPitbull
NationalityBrazilian
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight (2004–present)
Lightweight (2016; 2019–present)
Reach65 1⁄2 in (166 cm)
Fighting out ofNatal, Brazil
TeamTeam Nogueira (until 2010)[1]
Black House
Pitbull Brothers (2010–present)[1]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2004–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total35
Wins31
By knockout11
By submission11
By decision9
Losses4
By knockout1
By decision3
Notable relativesPatricky Freire, brother
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Freire began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of ten to help fend off the stigma of his size.[4] As a teenager, he trained at the famed Chute Boxe academy alongside notable MMA stars such as Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio Rua.[4]

Freire made his professional MMA debut in March 2004 at the age of 16. For the first five and a half years of his career, he competed in his native Brazil and amassed an undefeated record of 12–0 with all but two wins coming by way of stoppage.

Prior to signing with Bellator, Freire was ranked as one of the top prospects outside of the North American fight scene.[4]

Bellator MMA

After stringing together an impressive undefeated record on the local Brazilian circuit, he made his American debut on April 22, 2010 for Bellator in its Featherweight Tournament.

He won his first round bout defeating Will Romero via first round submission. At Bellator 18 he won his semifinal bout against fellow Brazilian and former EliteXC Featherweight Champion, Wilson Reis.

Freire faced Joe Warren on June 24, 2010 at Bellator 23 in the Tournament Final.[5] Despite nearly finishing the fight in the waning moments of the first round, Freire lost the fight by controversial split decision.

In Bellator Season Four, Friere earned back-to-back third-round KOs against Georgi Karakhanyan and Wilson Reis (a rematch of their bout the previous year) to advance to the finals of the Featherweight Tournament. Friere met Daniel Mason-Straus in the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Final at Bellator 45. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

A broken hand suffered in training had halted Freire's rematch with Joe Warren for the Bellator Featherweight Championship.[6]

After a near year and a half lay-off, Freire returned to action at Bellator 85 to face Pat Curran who had defeated Joe Warren to win the Bellator Featherweight Championship at Bellator 60. After a back and forth fight, Freire ended up losing a very close split decision.

Freire was set to face Rob Emerson at Bellator 97, but Emerson was forced out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Jared Downing. Freire won via KO at fifty-four seconds into the second round.

Freire faced former UFC featherweight contender Diego Nunes at Bellator 99 in the Quarterfinals of Bellator's Season Nine Featherweight Tournament.[7] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Freire faced Fabricio Guerreiro in the semifinals at Bellator 103 and won via unanimous decision.

Freire faced Justin Wilcox in the tournament final at Bellator 108. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

First reign as Bellator Featherweight World Champion

After being skipped over for his title shot, Freire was expected to finally challenge for the Bellator Featherweight World Championship in the long-awaited rematch with Pat Curran on June 6, 2014 at Bellator 121. However, on May 21, it was announced that Curran had pulled out of the bout due to a calf injury.[8] The rematch eventually took place at Bellator 123 on September 5, 2014.[9] Freire defeated Curran by unanimous decision to become the new Bellator Featherweight Champion.

Freire made his first title defense at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015 against Daniel Mason-Straus in a rematch of their bout in May 2011, which saw Freire walk away with a decision victory.[10] Freire won the back-and-forth fight in the fourth round via a rear-naked choke submission.

Freire was expected to defend his featherweight title against former WSOF Featherweight Champion Georgi Karakhanyan in a rematch at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015.[11] However, after a torn ACL suffered by Karakhanyan, Freire will instead face Bellator Season Ten Featherweight tournament winner Daniel Weichel at the event.[12] Despite being knocked down in the last seconds of the first round, Freire rallied to knock out Weichel with a perfect counter left hook early in the second round.

Losing the Championship and return to contender status

Freire had a third fight with Straus on November 6, 2015 at Bellator 145.[13] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, dropping the Bellator Featherweight Championship after two successful defenses.

After his brother's knockout loss to Michael Chandler, Freire moved up to the lightweight division to earn a title shot in order to face Chandler. He faced Benson Henderson in the main event at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016. The bout ended in anticlimactic fashion as Freire stopped himself early in round two to declare he had sustained a leg injury. As a result, Henderson was awarded a TKO victory due to injury. It was revealed post-fight that Freire had broken his shin in the first round after Henderson checked a low kick with his knee.

Regaining the Bellator Featherweight World Championship

Freire faced Daniel Straus in a fourth fight for the Bellator featherweight championship at Bellator 178 on April 21, 2017. After a back and forth first round, Freire won the bout via guillotine choke early in the second round to become the two-time Bellator Featherweight World Champion.[14]

Freire was scheduled to make his first title defense against Daniel Weichel, in a rematch, at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017.[15] Freire pulled out of the fight, however, due to multiple injuries. He expressed interest in a rematch with Weichel in early 2018.[16]

For his first title defense of his second reign, Freire faced Daniel Weichel at Bellator 203 on July 14, 2018.[17] He won the fight by split decision.[18]

In his second title defense, Freire faced Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 209 on November 15, 2018.[19] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[20]

Double Champion

On February 20, 2019, Bellator announced that Freire had signed a multi-year, multi-fight contract extension with the organization.[21] In the first fight of his new deal, Freire faced Michael Chandler for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 221 on May 11, 2019. He won the fight via TKO in the first round to become the second Bellator fighter after Ryan Bader to hold two titles at the same time.

As a first-round bout of the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix tournament, Freire defended his Featherweight Championship against Juan Archuleta at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

In the quarterfinals, Freire was expected to defend his Featherweight Championship against Pedro Carvalho at Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020.[24][25] However, the whole event was eventually cancelled due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The bout was rebooked and took place at Bellator 252 on November 12.[26] Freire won the fight via knockout in the first round.[27]

Personal life

Patrício and his wife Teresa lost a child due to a miscarriage. They have two sons, Davi (born 2015) and Miguel (born 2020).[1][28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
35 matches 31 wins 4 losses
By knockout 11 1
By submission 11 0
By decision 9 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 31–4 Pedro Carvalho KO (punch) Bellator 252 November 12, 2020 1 2:10 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 30–4 Juan Archuleta Decision (unanimous) Bellator 228 September 28, 2019 5 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 29–4 Michael Chandler TKO (punches) Bellator 221 May 11, 2019 1 1:01 Rosemont, Illinois, United States Won the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 28–4 Emmanuel Sanchez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 209 November 15, 2018 5 5:00 Tel Aviv, Israel Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 27–4 Daniel Weichel Decision (split) Bellator 203 July 14, 2018 5 5:00 Rome, Italy Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 26–4 Daniel Straus Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 178 April 21, 2017 2 0:37 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Won the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Loss 25–4 Benson Henderson TKO (leg injury) Bellator 160 August 26, 2016 2 2:26 Anaheim, California, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 25–3 Henry Corrales Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 153 April 22, 2016 2 4:09 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 24–3 Daniel Straus Decision (unanimous) Bellator 145 November 6, 2015 5 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Lost the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 24–2 Daniel Weichel KO (punch) Bellator 138 June 19, 2015 2 0:32 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 23–2 Daniel Straus Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 132 January 16, 2015 4 4:49 Temecula, California, United States Defended the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 22–2 Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Won the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 21–2 Justin Wilcox TKO (punches) Bellator 108 November 15, 2013 1 2:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 20–2 Fabricio Guerreiro Decision (unanimous) Bellator 103 October 11, 2013 3 5:00 Mulvane, Kansas, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 19–2 Diego Nunes KO (punches) Bellator 99 September 13, 2013 1 1:19 Temecula, California, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 18–2 Jared Downing TKO (punches) Bellator 97 July 31, 2013 2 0:54 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 17–2 Pat Curran Decision (split) Bellator 85 January 13, 2013 5 5:00 Irvine, California, United States For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 17–1 Daniel Straus Decision (unanimous) Bellator 45 May 21, 2011 3 5:00 Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 16–1 Wilson Reis KO (punches) Bellator 41 April 16, 2011 3 3:29 Yuma, Arizona, United States Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 15–1 Georgi Karakhanyan TKO (punches) Bellator 37 March 19, 2011 3 0:56 Concho, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 14–1 Joe Warren Decision (split) Bellator 23 June 24, 2010 3 5:00 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Bellator Season Two Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 14–0 Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 18 May 13, 2010 3 5:00 Monroe, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season Two Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 13–0 William Romero Submission (heel hook) Bellator 15 April 22, 2010 1 2:01 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Two Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 12–0 Johnny Iwasaki Submission (guillotine choke) Platinum Fight Brazil 2 December 5, 2009 2 3:27 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 11–0 Vinicius Borba TKO (head kick and punches) Eagle Fighting Championship September 26, 2009 1 1:24 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Win 10–0 Giovani Diniz Submission (kimura) Platinum Fight Brazil August 13, 2009 1 2:20 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 9–0 Gleristone Santos KO (flying knee) Brazil Nordeste Combat April 2, 2009 1 2:16 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 8–0 Fernando Vieira Decision (unanimous) Leal Combat: Premium June 5, 2008 3 5:00 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 7–0 Paulo Mantas Submission (heel hook) Rino's FC 4 September 27, 2007 1 2:21 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win 6–0 Jadyson Costa Submission (rear-naked choke) Leal Combat: Grand Prix July 5, 2007 1 4:34 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 5–0 Rafael Gargula Submission (armbar) Tridenium Combat April 6, 2006 2 3:05 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win 4–0 Joao Paulo Rodrigues Submission (guillotine choke) Fight Ship Looking Boy 1 September 8, 2005 2 N/A Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 3–0 Tarcisio Jardim Submission (guillotine choke) Octagon Fight 1 February 24, 2005 2 N/A Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 2–0 Marlon Silva Decision (unanimous) Brazilian Challenger 2 October 21, 2004 3 5:00 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Win 1–0 Dida Dida TKO (corner stoppage) Desafio: Natal vs. Nordeste March 9, 2004 1 5:00 Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

[34]

See also

References
  1. Josh Gross (September 27, 2019). "Brother, professor, crazy American: How Eric Albarracin united with Bellator champ Patricio Freire". theathletic.com.
  2. Dan Tom (March 11, 2020). "Bellator 241 breakdown: Patricio Freire can expect chaos from Pedro Carvalho. Will he handle it?". MMAJunkie.com.
  3. "Non-UFC Featherweight Rankings". RankingMMA.com. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  4. Steven Marrocco (2010-03-01). "FIGHT! Magazine: New Blood". fightmagazein.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-07. Retrieved 2014-09-06.
  5. Dan Stupp. "Louisville's Bellator 23 official with Warren vs. Friere, Shlemenko vs. Baker finales". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2010-06-06.
  6. "Patricio 'Pitbull' Injured; Bellator 47 Title Fight Postponed". Sherdog.
  7. "Bellator 99 Features Vladimir Matyushenko Debut Versus Christian M'Pumbu in Main Event".
  8. Guilherme Cruz (2014-05-21). "Pat Curran injured, out of Bellator 121 title fight with 'Pitbull' Freire". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  9. "Bellator 123 Fight Card". Bellator.com. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
  10. "Bellator 132 Fight Card". bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-19. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
  11. Guilherme Cruz (March 31, 2015). "'Pitbull' Freire vs. Georgi Karakhanyan title fight set for Bellator 138". mmafighting.com.
  12. Staff (April 28, 2015). "Torn ACL sidelines Karakhanyan from Bellator 138, Daniel Weichel meets 'Pitbull' for title". mmajunkie.com.
  13. "Bellator 145 Fight Card". bellator.com. 2015-11-06.
  14. Steven Marrocco (April 21, 2017). "Bellator 178 results: 'Pitbull' Freire submits Straus in fourth encounter to recapture title". mmajunkie.com.
  15. Steven Marrocco (August 23, 2017). "Bellator 188 features title rematch between champ Patricio Freire, Daniel Weichel". mmajunkie.com.
  16. Fernanda Prates (November 12, 2017). "Injury forces champ Patricio Freire out of Bellator 188; Lahat vs. Labiano new headliner". mmajunkie.com.
  17. "Patricio Pitbull vs. Daniel Weichel rematch headlines Bellator 203 in Rome". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  18. "Bellator 203 Results: Patricio Freire Retains Title in Split Nod • MMA News". MMA News. 2018-07-14. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  19. "Bellator's Emmanuel Sanchez on title fight vs. Patricio Freire: 'I just believe that I want it more'". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  20. "Emmanuel Sanchez calls for Patricio 'Pitbull' title rematch after Bellator 209". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  21. Fernanda Prates (February 20, 2019). "Bellator announces contract extensions with 'Pitbull' brothers Patricio and Patricky Freire". mmajunkie.com.
  22. Mike Bohn (July 10, 2019). "Patricio Freire vs. Juan Archuleta title fight set for Bellator FWGP opening round". mmajunkie.com.
  23. "Bellator 228 results -- Patricio Pitbull vs. Juan Archuleta: Live updates, fight card, highlights". September 28, 2019.
  24. Damon Martin (September 29, 2019). "Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinal fights determined, dates revealed". mmafighting.com.
  25. Nolan King (January 9, 2020). "Patricio Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Weichel set for Bellator 241". mmajunkie.com.
  26. Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2020). "Bellator featherweight grand prix bouts set with Daniel Weichel vs. Emmanuel Sanchez, A.J. McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell". MMAFighting.com.
  27. Brent Brookhouse (November 12, 2020). "Bellator 252 results, highlights: Patricio Pitbull knocks out Pedro Carvalho to retain featherweight title". CBS Sports.
  28. Guilherme Cruz (March 10, 2020). "Patricio Pitbull considered pulling out of Bellator 241 after birth of second son last week". mmafighting.com.
  29. Mike Bohn (August 9, 2020). "Bellator 243 post-event facts: Michael Chandler makes history with blistering knockout". mmajunkie.com.
  30. Mike Bohn (November 13, 2020). "Bellator 252 post-event facts: Patricio 'Pitbull' adds to ridiculous resume". MMAjunkie.com.
  31. Mike Bohn (November 10, 2020). "Bellator 252 pre-event facts: Patricio 'Pitbull' own the Bellator record book". MMAjunkie.com.
  32. Mike Bohn (September 9, 2019). "Bellator 226 post-event facts: Even without win, Ryan Bader makes history". mmajunkie.com.
  33. "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for November is a classic Bellator title battle - MMAjunkie". MMAjunkie.
  34. Sherdog.com. "Patricio". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
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