Bellator has been experiencing some difficulties since getting bought by PFL. The promotion has had let go of many fighters and sidelined some, including popular fighter Patricia “Pitbull” Freire.
The fighter holds the record for most fights, wins, and belts but is currently unsatisfied with the company’s decision to sideline him. Freire has been out of the game since March and is eager to get back in the cage.
Freire was promised a rematch battle with RIZIIN lightweight champion Chihiro Suzuki on New Year’s Eve. The fight contract was never sent, and the battle never came to fruition. Later on in the year, Pitbull was matched up with Aaron Pico but the fight also never happened. Pitbull is not the only fighter having this issue with Bellator as many athletes like Leandro Higo and Douglas Lima and Gegard Mousasi–who left the promotion due to lack of fights. The fighters came together and filed a lawsuit seeking $150 million in damages.
“Basically, Douglas Lima and my brother [Patricky Pitbull], the high-caliber guys of the organization, they either re-signed with their purse cut in half or they would be cut,” Freire said. “That was basically forced, you know? [PFL co-owner] Donn Davis said early in the merge that that would not happen, but it happened. We know the organization has valued semi-retired fighters and internet celebrities more than actual fighters that put on a show.”
“PFL guys seem a bit lost there,” Freire said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Looks like Bellator is a bit too big for them, and they don’t know how to act properly.”
“We were left with only promises,” Freire said. “We lost rhythm, we lost part of our careers waiting for something that never came. It’s bad for me as a champion.
“I need to stay active. We know I’m not getting any younger, too. So I spoke with my managers, and since my contract is not that long, it’s close to the end, so we’ll ask to leave. I need to work.”
The fighter plans on leaving Bellator for the UFC, but he is positive the promotion will not be willing to let go of him. If the agreement pulls through, Freire will be joining UFC and he hopes to compete against Topuira. If that fight doesn’t eventually happen the fighter is content with battling other top featherweight class fighters like Movsar Evloev, Yair Rodriguez and Alexander Volkanovski.
“I have to fight
In the UFC,” Pitbull said. “I have to face those guys. I see myself doing a good job there. However, I don’t see anything very special there. And, I can fight anyone there, even the champion. [Ilia Topuria] has some holes we can take advantage of. I’m sure they think the same about me, but I have to trust myself. This is the time.”
“We know that, although I’m the champion, I’m on the last chapters of my contract,” Pitbull said. “It doesn’t make sense to keep me locked. To [lock] someone that is not satisfied and can speak and be heard around the world, I think it would look bad, even. They know they’re in the wrong, and I hope we can come to an agreement and they release me. I need to fight and continue my legacy.”
“My division is 145, but I have a history at lightweight,” Pitbull said. “I fought [Michael] Chandler. He’s a popular figure in the UFC, especially these days with exciting fights. I wouldn’t turn down a fight with him right off the bat.”
“I can go in there and add fuel to that fire,” he added, referring to the featherweight division. “Throw me against any one of those. Unleash me against the lions there.”
