“I Feel Like My Old Self”: Patricio Pitbull Details the Adjustments That Fixed His UFC Run

When Patricio "Pitbull" Freire arrived in the UFC, he carried one of the most decorated resumes in modern mixed martial arts history. As a multi-time two-division champion and the long-time face of Bellator MMA, expectations were sky-high for his transition to the world's premier fighting promotion.

However, finding his rhythm inside the Octagon proved more difficult than anticipated through his first three outings. It took four full fights for the 39-year-old Brazilian star to regain his form and deliver the type of clinical performance fans had come to expect.

Freire admitted that his early Octagon struggles were rooted as much in mental friction as physical competition.

“I was a little bit frustrated in my life,” Freire said. “I don’t know why, just something with my mind. I was working on it. I brought back my old coach who worked with me when I was knocking everyone out in Bellator. Now he’s working with me again. I don’t know, I feel like we made a few little changes, a few little moves in my training camp, and we were successful.”

Reconnecting With the Vintage Formula

Rejoining forces with his original head coach provided the exact spark Pitbull needed to reset his mindset and approach. During his legendary tenure in Bellator, the Natal native racked up 24 promotional victories and captured both featherweight and lightweight titles. Reuniting with his longtime corner allowed him to make subtle tactical tweaks, refine his distance management, and rediscover the explosive counter-striking that has yielded 13 career knockouts.

Now sporting a 38-9 professional record that features 25 stoppage victories, 13 by knockout and 12 by submission, Pitbull has proven he still possesses world-class firepower. With his mind clear and his preferred corner team back intact, the veteran powerhouse is finally comfortable in his new home and ready to make a serious push up the UFC's 145-pound rankings.