SAN JOSE, Calif. – From 2016 to 2021, Patricio Freire didn’t lose an MMA bout.
At Bellator 263 in July 2021, A.J. McKee ended the streak in 117 seconds. With his seven-fight winning streak no longer, Freire (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA) went back to Brazil title-less and with a loss. For nine months, he’s soaked in that defeat, worked to improve, and built himself back.
“This time I don’t care about the belt. I care about the revenge,” Freire told MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I want my revenge against him. I want to beat him.”
It’s not personal, it’s business for “Pitbull.” One of the most decorated fighters in Bellator history, Freire has lost five times inside the cage all under this banner. However, the first four, he bounced back in the following fight. He plans to make it five-for-five – with a stoppage against McKee (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) in the Bellator 277 main event Friday.
“My rivalry is against everyone that is going to try to put their hands on me. He has my belt. I want to take it back. … I don’t care about (the odds). In the last fight, I was the favorite and I lost the fight. That’s bullsh*t.”
“He’s a great fighter,” Freire said. “He has a good style, but you know sometimes, it’s sometimes it looks like it when these guys run through the ranks. But I’m going to stop him.”
Bellator 277 takes place Friday at SAP Center with the main card airing after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Motivated Patricio Freire out for revenge at Bellator 277: ‘This time I don’t care about the belt’
