Patricky_Freire

Patricky Pitbull

Patricky Pitbull

Brazilian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter

Patricky Freire (born January 21, 1986), known professionally as Patricky Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Lightweight division, where he is a former Bellator Lightweight Champion. He is the older brother of featherweight fighter Patrício Pitbull.

Quick Facts Born, Residence ...

Mixed martial arts career

Bellator MMA

After competing in many Brazilian promotions, Freire compiled a 7–1 record before entering the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament. He faced former WEC Lightweight Champion, Rob McCullough at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011, in the opening round of the tournament. He won via TKO in the third round.[1]

Freire went on to face two-time finalist Toby Imada in the semifinal at Bellator 39. Freire defeated Imada via knockout in the first round after landing a brutal flying knee and following up with a flurry of punches which caused Imada to fall to the mat unconscious.[2] The win saw him progress to the final of the tournament where he faced fellow finalist Michael Chandler at Bellator 44. Freire lost via unanimous decision.[3]

Freire next faced Kurt Pellegrino at Bellator 59 on November 26, 2011. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[4]

Freire faced Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 76.[5] After a back-and-forth opening minute that saw both fighters rocked, he lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[6]

It was announced that Freire will face Guillaume De Lorenzi in the Bellator 2013 Lightweight Tournament on January 31.[7] Unfortunately, Freire suffered an injury and pulled out of the Lightweight Tournament a few days prior to this fight.[8]

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on September 7, 2013, as he faced Derek Anderson at Bellator 98.[9] Despite winning the first round, Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In March 2014, Freire entered into the Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament, where he faced David Rickels in the opening round at Bellator 113.[10] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[11] In the semifinals, he faced Derek Campos at Bellator 117. Again he won the fight via TKO in the second round.[12] He was scheduled to face Marcin Held in the finals at Bellator 120. However, Held was forced out of the bout due to injury, and the fight was subsequently cancelled.[13] The bout eventually took place at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014.[14] Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

After nearly a year away from the sport, Freire returned to face Saad Awad at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015.[16] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

In the first rematch of his career, Freire faced Derek Anderson for a second time on December 4, 2015, at Bellator 147.[18] He again lost the fight, this time by controversial split decision.[19]

Freire replaced an injured Derek Anderson to face Ryan Couture at Bellator 148 on January 29, 2016.[20] He won the bout via knockout in the first round.[21]

It was announced that Freire will face Derek Campos for the second time as the Bellator 152 main event.[22] Just four days before their scheduled bout Campos pulled out due to injury and replaced by the newly signed former UFC fighter Kevin Souza.[23]

In May 2016, Bellator President Scott Coker announced that Freire would have a rematch against Michael Chandler at Bellator 157 on June 17, 2016. The bout was for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship, which was vacated when champion Will Brooks was released from the promotion.[24] Freire lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[25]

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on February 18, 2017, in the main event at Bellator 172 against Josh Thomson.[26] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[27]

Freire was expected to face Derek Campos for a second time at Bellator 167 on December 3, 2016, however Freire was forced out of the bout due to an injury.[28] The rematch was scheduled to take place at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017.[29] However, Freire instead faced Benson Henderson at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[30] He won the fight by split decision. Freire is facing a 180-day medical suspension, unless he gets physician clearance regarding right rib pain.[31]

Freire faced Derek Campos in a rematch at Bellator 194 on February 16, 2018.[32] He won the fight via TKO in round one.[33]

Freire faced Roger Huerta on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205.[34] He won the fight via knockout.[35]

Bellator booked Freire against newcomer Ryan Scope for their first show in the Bellator Europe series that marked the start of the organization's partnership with Channel 5 and Sky Sports. The event was called Bellator Newcastle and took place on February 11. Despite rupturing a tendon in his right wrist on the first round of the fight, Freire won by split decision.[36]

On February 20, 2019, Bellator announced that Freire had signed a multi-year, multi-fight contract extension with the organization.[37]

Rizin FF

Due to his brother being the prevailing Bellator Lightweight champion, Patricky decided to take part in Rizin FF Lightweight tournament. In the first round of the tournament, Freire faced Tatsuya Kawajiri at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019.[38] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[39]

In the semifinals of the grand prix Freire faced Luiz Gustavo at Rizin 20 - Saitama on December 31, 2019.[40] Freire won the fight via a first minute knockout and advanced to the grand prix final.[41]

The 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix final was held in the same event with the semifinals. Despite Tofiq Musayev receiving a yellow card in the second round, Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision after being knocked down and largely dominated in every round.[42]

Post-Rizin GP

In the first fight after the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix, Freire was expected to headline Bellator Dublin 2 against Peter Queally on October 3, 2020.[43] However, Queally was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury.[44] Freire was subsequently rebooked to face Jaleel Willis two weeks later at Bellator 249 on October 15, 2020.[45] In turn, this bout was cancelled the day of the event when the Mohegan Tribal Athletic Commission deemed Freire unable to compete due to what was termed an undisclosed medical issue.[46]

Freire faced Peter Queally at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[47] After sustaining a cut on his forehead from an elbow while Queally was on the bottom, the doctor stopped the fight between rounds after the cutman was unable to stop the bleeding.[48]

Bellator Lightweight World Champion

Freire rematched Peter Queally at Bellator 270 on November 5, 2021.[49] On October 6, 2021, Patricky's younger brother and Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion Patrício Pitbull announced he vacated the title and that the rematch with Queally would be for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.[50] Freire won the bout via second round technical knockout to become Bellator Lightweight World Champion.[51]

Freire was scheduled to make the first defence of the Bellator Lightweight World Championship against Sidney Outlaw on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283.[52] On July 4, it was announced that Patricky had sustained an injury and that the bout would be scrapped.[53]

Freire then made his first defence, against Usman Nurmagomedov on November 18, 2022, at Bellator 288.[54] He lost the fight and the belt via unanimous decision after a one-sided fight.[55]

Lightweight Grand Prix

On January 11, 2023, Freire was announced as one of the 8 participants in the $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix.[56]

Freire was scheduled to face A.J. McKee in the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarter-Final as part of Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[57] However, on July 26, it was announced McKee had pulled out of the bout due to an injury, and that he was replaced by Rizin Lightweight Champion Roberto de Souza.[58] Freire won the bout by a leg kick technical knockout.[59]

In the semifinals, Freire faced Alexandr Shabliy on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301.[60] In dominant fashion, Shabliy beat Patricky via unanimous decision, gathering all 50-45 scorecards from the judges.[61]

PFL

Patricky started the 2024 season with a bout against Clay Collard on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2.[62] He lost the fight by second round technical knockout.[63]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
38 matches 25 wins 13 losses
By knockout 17 4
By submission 1 1
By decision 7 8
More information Res., Record ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    Fagan, Mike (12 March 2011). "Bellator 36 Results: Rob McCullough Vs. Patricky Freire Round Two Live Scoring". sbnation.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Pogledajte najatraktivniji nokaut na Bellatoru". tportal.hr. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. [3]
    Fagan, Mike (14 May 2011). "Bellator 44 Results: Michael Chandler Outworks Patricky Freire To A Decision". sbnation.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. [4]
    Brand, Jeremy (27 November 2011). "Kurt Pellegrino Retires Following Patricky Freire Loss… Again". mmasucka.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  5. [5]
    MMAWeekly.com Staff (13 September 2012). "Eddie Alvarez vs. Patricky Freire Head Bellator 76". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  6. [6]
    Marrocco, Steven (13 October 2012). "Bellator 76 results: Eddie Alvarez knocks out Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire in first round". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  7. [7]
    Grienke (December 23, 2012). "Bellator LW Tourney Gets Patricky For De Lorenzi". TopMMANews.com.
  8. [8]
    Grienke (January 30, 2012). "Pitbull Injured; De Lorenzi Gets New Bellator Lightweight Tourney Opponent". TopMMANews.com.
  9. [9]
    Brand, Jeremy (17 November 2015). "Patricky "Pitbull" Freire takes on Derek Anderson at Bellator 147". mmasucka.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  10. [10]
    Mowatt, Kelsey. "Bellator 113: David Rickels Knows Patricky Freire is "Dangerous", But Says "Pitbull" Turns Into a "Chihuahua in Rounds 2 And 3"". fcfighter.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  11. [11]
    Simon, Zane (25 June 2015). "David Rickels talks changes after Freire loss: 'I sat down and blubbered like a little baby'". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  12. [12]
    Rondina, Steven. "Bellator 117: Results and Recaps from Rick Hawn vs. Douglas Lima". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  13. [13]
    Thomas (May 9, 2014). "Patricky 'Pitbull' vs. Marcin Held off Bellator 120 with injury, Shahbulat Shamhalaev vs. Fabricio Guerreiro moved in as substitute". mmafighting.com.
  14. [14]
    "Marcin Held vs. Patricky Pitbull targeted for Bellator 126 on September 26th in Phoenix". themmareport.com. August 1, 2014.
  15. [15]
    Zucker, Joseph. "Bellator 126 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Shlemenko vs. Halsey Fight Card". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  16. [16]
    Raimondi, Marc (18 July 2015). "Patricky Freire takes on Saad Awad in Bellator 141 co-main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  17. [17]
    BJPENN.COM News (29 August 2015). "Bellator 141 Results: Patricky Freire Goes The Distance With Awad, Wins Decision". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  18. [18]
    "Bellator 147 Fight Card". bellator.com. 2015-12-11.
  19. [19]
    Marrocco, Steven (2 December 2015). "Bellator 147's Derek Anderson: Hopefully Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire has some pride". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  20. [20]
    "Patricky Freire in for injured Derek Anderson vs. Ryan Couture at Bellator 148". mmafighting.com. January 12, 2016.
  21. [21]
    Bednall, Jai. "Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire puts Ryan Couture to sleep with savage left hook". adelaidenow.com.au. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  22. [22]
    "Patricky Freire vs. Derek Campos announced as MMA main event for Bellator 152". mmafighting.com. Mar 9, 2016.
  23. [23]
    "Kevin Souza signs with Bellator, replaces Derek Campos vs. Patricky Freire in upcoming main event". mmafighting.com. Apr 11, 2016.
  24. [24]
    "Michael Chandler, Patricky 'Pitbull' to Vie for Vacant Lightweight Title". sherdog.com. May 14, 2016.
  25. [25]
    Erickson, Matt (25 June 2016). "Bellator 157 results: Michael Chandler starches Patricky Freire to reclaim lightweight title". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  26. [26]
    "Josh Thomson vs. Patricky 'Pitbull' Freire set as Bellator 172 co-main event". MMA Junkie. 2017-01-28. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  27. [27]
    Ravens, Andrew (19 February 2017). "Bellator 172 Results: Patricky Freire Finishes Josh Thomson". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  28. [28]
    Staff (November 25, 2016). "Patricky Freire injured, out of Bellator 167 main event rematch with Derek Campos". MMA Junkie.
  29. [29]
    Staff (April 22, 2017). "Bellator 181 set for July 14 in Oklahoma with Patricky Freire vs. Derek Campos 2". MMA Junkie.
  30. [30]
    Staff (June 24, 2017). "Benson Henderson's return, Roy Nelson's debut at Bellator 183; Bellator 181 gets new headliner". MMA Junkie.
  31. [31]
    "Bellator 183 Medical Suspensions | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  32. [32]
    Tristen Critchfield (January 12, 2018). "Patricky Freire-Derek Campos Rematch Set for Bellator 194 Co-Main Event". sherdog.com.
  33. [33]
    "Bellator 194 results: Patricky Freire shuts down Derek Campos again, calls for title shot". MMA Junkie. 2018-02-17. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  34. [34]
    "Bellator 205's Patricky Freire always has wanted to fight Roger Huerta for pleasure of beating him up". MMA Junkie. 2018-09-10. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  35. [35]
    Anderson, Jay (2018-09-21). "Bellator 205 Results: Patricky Pitbull Knocks Out Roger Huerta in Firefight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2018-09-22.
  36. [36]
    Critchfield, Tristen. "Patricky Freire Takes Split Verdict Over Ryan Scope in Bellator 'Newcastle' Headliner". sherdog.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  37. [37]
    Fernanda Prates (February 20, 2019). "Bellator announces contract extensions with 'Pitbull' brothers Patricio and Patricky Freire". MMA Junkie.
  38. [38]
    Simon Head (September 20, 2019). "Bellator ace Patricky Freire draws Tatsuya Kawajiri in Rizin FF lightweight grand prix". MMA Junkie.
  39. [39]
    Rezende, Lucas (15 October 2019). "Patricky Freire surprised by quick KO of Kawajiri: 'I thought the fight would be harder'". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  40. [40]
    Guilherme Cruz (October 22, 2019). "Patricky Pitbull considered pulling out of RIZIN grand prix with knee injury". Mma Fighting. mmafighting.com.
  41. [41]
    Kettle, Harry (31 December 2019). "VIDEO Patricky Freire scores nasty soccer kick KO over Luiz Gustavo at RIZIN 20". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  42. [42]
    Hannoun, Farah (31 December 2019). "Grand prix winner Tofiq Musayev says he broke his hand during final at Rizin FF 20". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  43. [43]
    Simon Head (March 9, 2020). "Patricky Freire vs. Peter Queally announced as Bellator Dublin main event in October". MMA Junkie.
  44. [44]
    Ross Markey (September 11, 2020). "Report: Peter Queally breaks right hand, out of Bellator Dublin main event with Patricky Pitbull". fightbananas.com.
  45. [45]
    Nolan King (September 29, 2020). "Ricky Bandejas vs. Leandro Higo, Saad Awad vs. Mandel Nallo round out Bellator 249 main card". MMA Junkie.
  46. [46]
    "Bellator 249 co-feature bout scrapped as commission won't clear Patricky Freire". MMA Junkie. 19 September 2020.
  47. [47]
    Cruz, Guilherme (26 March 2021). "Patricky Freire vs. Peter Queally targeted for Bellator 258". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  48. [48]
    "Bellator 258 results: Conor McGregor training partner Peter Queally stops Patricky Freire in bloodbath". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  49. [49]
    "'Bellator 270: Gallagher vs. Mix' official for Nov. 5 in Dublin, adds 'Pitbull' vs. Queally rematch". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-24. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  50. [50]
    Mike Heck (October 6, 2021). "Patricio Pitbull vacates lightweight title; Peter Queally vs. Patricky Pitbull elevated to title fight at Bellator 270". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  51. [51]
    Anderson, Jay (2021-11-05). "Bellator 270 Results: Patricky Pitbull Becomes First to Stop Peter Queally, Wins Lightweight Title". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  52. [52]
    "Bellator 283 fight: Lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull to take on Sydney Outlaw in Washington". CBSSports.com. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-14.
  53. [53]
    Critchfield, Tristen. "Patricky Freire Suffers Injury, Withdraws from Title Defense at Bellator 283". Sherdog. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  54. [54]
    "Patricky Freire to defend Bellator lightweight title against Usman Nurmagomedov in November". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  55. [55]
    Anderson, Jay (2022-11-18). "Bellator 288: Usman Nurmagomedov Stays Undefeated In Dominant Title Win Over Patricky Pitbull". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  56. [56]
    "Bellator announces 8 participants for lightweight grand prix; tournament starts March 10 in San Jose". MMA Junkie. 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  57. [57]
    Anderson, Jay (2023-05-27). "Bellator X RIZIN 2 Announced with Inaugural Flyweight Title Fight, A.J. McKee vs. Patricky Pitbull Headlines". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  58. [58]
    Wells, Matthew (July 26, 2023). "Major changes to Bellator X Rizin 2: A.J. McKee out; Patricky Freire faces RIZIN champ; Patricio 'Pitbull' added". MMA Junkie. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  59. [59]
    "Bellator x Rizin 2 results: Patricky Freire uses vicious leg kick to stop Roberto de Souza in grand prix quarterfinal". MMA Junkie. 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  60. [60]
    "Bellator 301 set for Chicago: 2 title fights, including Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix, grand prix semifinal, grudge rematch". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  61. [61]
    Anderson, Jay (2023-11-18). "Bellator 301: Shabliy Lights Up Pitbull, Lands Spot in Grand Prix Final". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  62. [62]
    Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  63. [63]
    Anderson, Jay (2024-04-13). "Clay Collard Survives Early Knockdown to Stop Patricky Pitbull at PFL 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  64. [64]
    Mike Bohn (November 21, 2021). "Bellator 270 pre-event facts: Lightweight title back on the line after 30 months". MMA Junkie.
  65. [65]
    Mike Bohn (October 13, 2020). "Bellator 249 pre-event facts: Patricky 'Pitbull' can get all-time KO record". MMA Junkie.
  66. [66]
    "MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for January: A walk-off no-doubter". MMA Junkie. 2 February 2016.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Patricky_Freire, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.