Patricio “Pitbull” Freire isn’t overlooking his opponent at Bellator Champions Series: Belfast, but he’s eager for another shot at the PFL vs. Bellator Champions belt
Freire (35-7) was set to face PFL’s season winner Jesus Pinedo at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February, but the fight fell through at the last minute, as did his replacement bout against Gabriel Braga.
Besides aiming to end his two-fight losing streak, Freire was determined to vie for the specially created belt awarded to the victor of champion vs. champion matchups.
Freire expressed to MMA Junkie through an interpreter.
“I really like the idea of the champ vs. champ fight. I really enjoy the belt that they designed with the ring attached to it. You can use the ring anywhere or on the belt. So, I really would like a chance to fight for the belt again. I’ve already fought the Rizin champion Kleber (Koike), and I beat him. Now, I have the chance to fight the PFL champion and add that belt and that ring to my collection. So that’s something I would really like to do, if possible, in the future.”
However, before that aspiration can materialize, Freire must first defeat Jeremy Kennedy at BCS: Belfast on March 22 in Northern Ireland. Kennedy (19-3) replaces Aaron Pico as Freire’s Bellator featherweight title challenger. Despite both contenders vying for a title shot, Freire remained focused on the task at hand.
“(Kennedy) was a guy that was already on my radar. Pico had just fought in Saudi Arabia. They had a fight, but they wouldn’t have time for a rematch to see who would fight me. So Bellator offered me this opportunity so I took it. This is a guy that I was seeing for a long time for a possible opponent for my belt.”
With recent losses raising questions about his form, Freire, at 36, is determined to silence skeptics by defeating Kennedy and proving that his best days are far from over.
“We’ll never be able to please everyone, and there will always be some hate. In fact, those are the guys that keep us motivated. So, if they want to keep doubting me, please continue doing that.”
