Patricio Freire, Pedro Carvalho admit frustration, but praise Bellator for coronavirus response

Patricio Freire and Pedro Carvalho should have met inside the Bellator cage by now, but matters above and beyond their control meant the two featherweight rivals were left frustrated as Bellator 241 was postponed just hours before they were due to fight.

The decision was taken after coronavirus concerns escalated ahead of the planned event in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday night. Bellator officials confirmed the postponement with MMA Junkie following an initial report by Fightful.com, and president Scott Coker subsequently announced the postponement via social media.

It was an unprecedented situation for the promotion – and its fighters – to deal with and, after the dust had settled on a frustrating night, the two main event stars told MMA Junkie that they believed Bellator had made the right move.

“As far as I know, at the moment Bellator is taking care of their athletes’ health,” said Carvalho (11-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), who was set to challenge for the featherweight title in his first Bellator main event. “They’re making a point to not put our health at risk. I agree with that, 100 percent. When I found the card was off, I was devastated, but now I’ve cooled off. I’m very happy to see this action and the care that Bellator has for us.”

Reigning two-division champion Freire (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA) was similarly upset to begin with, but on reflection said he was in agreement with his opposite number.

“Unfortunately, with this coronavirus problem, it was not possible to carry out the event,” Freire said. “It’s frustrating, but Bellator did the right thing. I know it wasn’t an easy decision.”

While the event, itself, did not go ahead, Bellator confirmed that they would pay all of the fighters on the card who had made weight for their respective bouts on Thursday their contracted show money for the event.

Freire said he respected the way he and his fellow fighters were treated, considering the amount of upheaval the Bellator team were forced to endure during a testing 48-hour period that saw them first change the event to a behind-closed-doors show, then postpone it completely.

“Two days before traveling, I contacted Bellator and talked about the possibility of canceling due to family problems,” said the featherweight and lightweight champion. “I know the impact that this would have on the event. Imagine having to cancel all bouts, TV deals all over the world, and the effect on the public and staff. Still, they treated us extremely well at all times, handed all the fighters their win pay, and reassured us in the best possible way.”

With their in-cage rivalry on hold, at least for the immediate future, Freire and Carvalho are united in their hope that the ongoing crisis affects as few people as possible and the pandemic eventually runs its course.

“I feel that people should be cautious and remain calm,” offered Carvalho. “All of this will be temporary. We just have to stay together, keep a positive attitude, and everything will go well.”

“I hope this coronavirus problem passes soon, and everyone can recover,” agreed Freire. “The impact is very big. I’ve read about people worried about losing their jobs because they can’t go to work, and many other factors such as schools closing. I think that everyone’s health comes first. The rest is secondary. May God take care of us all.”