The idea of being the Bellator lightweight champion didn’t immediately settle in for Patricky Freire.
The long-time Bellator contender finally got his hands on a title belt after a decade of competing in the promotion. Freire (24-10 MMA, 15-8 BMMA) scored a second-round TKO win over Queally (13-6-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) in the main event of Friday’s Bellator 270 to claim the vacant 155-pound title.
The Brazilian was happy afterward but didn’t feel any different as champ.
“I haven’t realized what just happened,” Freire told reporters at the Bellator 270 post-fight news conference. “I’m very happy, but this is so normal to me because I’ve seen so many belts in the hands of my brother (Patricio). I’ve seen so many belts around me that, for me, this is normal. It’s normal for me, maybe after two weeks (it will settle in).”
Freire made it clear he’s down to defend his belt against anyone. He doesn’t have a preference, but when asked about former champ Brent Primus, regarded by many as the next in line, “Pitbull” had a few words for the American.
“He’s the former champion, but he gave up the opportunity to fight me before,” Freire said. “He said he didn’t want to fight Patricky. I know I’m the best now. I took the belt. He said, ‘Hey, he’s coming off two losses,’ and he was talking sh*t. But before Bellator asked him to fight me and he said no. I know why. He wanted the gold, so come.”