Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Patrício “Pitbull” Freire is on the precipice of another defining moment.
Freire, the reigning Bellator featherweight champion, challenges Sergio Pettis for the bantamweight title Friday at Bellator 297. If he is victorious, it will mark the second time Freire has simultaneously held titles in two weight classes, as well as the third weight class where he has held a title.
It is fitting that the title bout takes place in Chicago, not far from where Freire defeated Michael Chandler in 2019 for the lightweight title—which paired nicely with his featherweight belt.
“I was double champion before, and I did it in Chicago,” says Freire, speaking through a translator. “That’s what I am going to do again.”
Freire (35–5) has now slowed down with age. Now 35, he has won three in a row, as well as 10 of his last 11 fights. While Pettis (22–5) will present problems, there is no denying that Freire has overcome every obstacle placed in front of him.
The lone blemish on Freire’s record over the past six years is a loss he suffered against AJ McKee. But Freire evened the score in the rematch and then ripped off wins against Ádám Borics and Rizin’s Kleber Koike Erbst. With McKee having moved to lightweight, there is a scarce number of featherweight contenders at the moment, opening up the door for Freire to compete for the bantamweight belt.
“Another challenge has presented itself,” says Freire. “I was able to move up in weight and destroy the best lightweight in Bellator history in one minute. I cleaned up the featherweight division. After I beat AJ and Borics, there is really no one else for me to fight. I sent AJ packing from the featherweight division. Everything aligned for this fight while the featherweight division sorts itself out. Pettis is available, and it’s a chance for me to get another piece of gold.”
No stone has gone unturned in his preparation. The incredibly trim Freire is also working with Daniel Wanderley, formerly the grappling coach for Pettis. Already a former lightweight champion and three-time (and current) featherweight champ, Freire now seeks to add the bantamweight title to his collection. Since he is known solely for his success in Bellator, and not the UFC, Freire has not received the same type of praise as other fighters who have attained a similar level of success. That still gnaws at him. (“I feed off the haters,” says Freire. “They still don’t believe in me.”) He remains confident he can change the minds of those who doubt him.
Freire believes a victory against Pettis would be a defining moment in his career. He certainly makes a convincing argument to be known as one of the sport’s greats, even if he never fights in the UFC. Symbolically, capturing a third title would signify his rare level of brilliance in the cage, a place few have ever reached.
“The media is going to explain themselves with so many great records, fights and accomplishments,” says Freire. “With this win, I’ll become undeniable.”
Conor McGregor in unfamiliar territory on The Ultimate Fighter
This week’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter contained a very entertaining bout pitting Aaron McKenzie against Austin Hubbard.
Hard as McKenzie tried, he was unable to bring the fight to the ground. He paid a hefty price for that, as Hubbard kept landing shots before piecing apart his face with a flurry of elbows. Watching Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler ramp up their intensity during the fight was a real highlight, especially to see the frustration mount for McGregor.
Hubbard’s victory marked the third straight win for Team Chandler. Next week’s bout is Trevor Wells against Timur Valiev, and the foreshadowing makes it seem like Wells will pick up a win for McGregor’s prospects.
Despite the defeats, McGregor remains the driving force behind the show. Perhaps there is some symbolism in his mounting losses. McGregor is no longer the same dominant force he once was in the cage, and it is completely within the realm of possibility that a hungry Chandler will beat him if/when they finally do meet in the Octagon. Next week should be particularly interesting, as Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson—a far different personality from McGregor—joins his team for workouts.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
