LONG BEACH, Calif. – Patricio Freire got the job done, and that’s all it matters to him.
The featherweight champion successfully defended his belt Saturday in the main event of Bellator 286. Freire (34-5 MMA, 22-5 BMMA) defeated Adam Borics in a comfortable unanimous decision. But despite being the clear winner, Freire did leave the arena with some criticism.
Fans at the event booed the action and demanded more from “Pitbull.” Freire was aware of the discontent in the crowd, but paid it no mind.
“People sometimes want to see a street fight like A.J. McKee and that guy, Spike (Carlyle),” Freire told reporters at the Bellator 286 post-fight press conference. “That’s amazing, but it’s like a bar brawl. I’m a fighter. I’m technical. I’m going to take my opponent in the right moment. I’m not going to commit a mistake like that and get tired like a street fight.
“I’m professional, and I don’t care about that. I just told everyone, ‘F*ck you, man.’ I don’t care about that.”
Not only is the 35-year-old not bothered by the crowd response on Saturday night, he also warns people to not expect him catering to the crowd in the future. Freire is out to defend his belt any means necessary.
“People want to see, like, a crazy fight, but I’m not that guy anymore that’s going to listen to everyone, go forward and make mistakes,” Freire said. “I’m going to be focused on the fight and keep doing the strategy. I don’t care. I want the victory. I was victorious tonight, and that’s all that matters.”
Freire knew he had to fight calculated and be very careful going into Bellator 286 given Borics’ strengths.
“That’s what I was expecting,” Freire said. “He’s very good, very calm, and I was just trying to see the right moment to act. So that’s what happened during the fight. I’m always looking for the right moment, the right timing. That’s it.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 286.
