Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Defends title against Borics
Freire defeated Adam Borics via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 50-45) at Bellator 286 on Oct. 1 in Long Beach, California.
ANALYSIS
Freire continues to cement his case as one of the greatest Bellator fighters of all time, as the former two-division champion now has his first title defense of his third overall reign as featherweight king. This particular one wasn't the most crowd-pleasing at times, as Pitbull used his wrestling and grappling to gain and keep advantageous positions on the mat while doing just enough on the feet to earn the favor of the judges. On two separate occasions, Borics attempted flying knees that were caught by Freire and resulted in takedowns. The biggest case for a Borics round came in the fourth frame, where he was able to avoid the takedown and continue pressing to attack (and land) leg kicks on the champion. Still, he never seemed to threaten Pitbull enough to put him in serious danger. Looking ahead, Pitbull is now interested in further adding to his legacy by dropping down to bantamweight and contending for a title there, which would result in the incredibly-rare feat of holding belts in three separate divisions at different points in his career.
Freire continues to cement his case as one of the greatest Bellator fighters of all time, as the former two-division champion now has his first title defense of his third overall reign as featherweight king. This particular one wasn't the most crowd-pleasing at times, as Pitbull used his wrestling and grappling to gain and keep advantageous positions on the mat while doing just enough on the feet to earn the favor of the judges. On two separate occasions, Borics attempted flying knees that were caught by Freire and resulted in takedowns. The biggest case for a Borics round came in the fourth frame, where he was able to avoid the takedown and continue pressing to attack (and land) leg kicks on the champion. Still, he never seemed to threaten Pitbull enough to put him in serious danger. Looking ahead, Pitbull is now interested in further adding to his legacy by dropping down to bantamweight and contending for a title there, which would result in the incredibly-rare feat of holding belts in three separate divisions at different points in his career.
Avenges loss, regains belt
Freire defeated A.J. McKee via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) at Bellator 277 on Friday in San Jose to regain his Bellator Featherweight Championship.
ANALYSIS
Pitbull was able to avenge a first-round loss to McKee from last July in which he ate a head kick early that opened the door for McKee to rush in for the fight-sealing choke. This time around, Freire took a more patient approach despite McKee's attempts to bait him into a firefight. While the fight was very close, Freire appeared to potentially bank the first three rounds, which was enough to hold off McKee's late advantages as the two were tiring. Despite McKee calling for a rematch at lightweight after the show, it seems Freire is content to stay in the featherweight division.
Pitbull was able to avenge a first-round loss to McKee from last July in which he ate a head kick early that opened the door for McKee to rush in for the fight-sealing choke. This time around, Freire took a more patient approach despite McKee's attempts to bait him into a firefight. While the fight was very close, Freire appeared to potentially bank the first three rounds, which was enough to hold off McKee's late advantages as the two were tiring. Despite McKee calling for a rematch at lightweight after the show, it seems Freire is content to stay in the featherweight division.
Drops belt in grand prix loss
Freire lost to A.J. McKee via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 1:57 of Round 1 at Bellator 263 on Saturday at The Forum in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
After a brief feeling out process to begin the fight, Pitbull took a vicious shin to the head that was the beginning of the end. McKee followed up with a combination that included a devastating uppercut that floored Pitbull. McKee started to celebrate, but referee Mike Beltran hadn't officially called off the proceedings yet. Pitbull was too wobbled to take advantage of the lapse in judgement, and McKee quickly clamped on a guillotine. Pitbull didn't tap, but Beltran finally called off the fight after his arm went limp. This will represent Pitbull's first pro loss since 2016, and it will cost him both his featherweight belt and a $1 million check.
After a brief feeling out process to begin the fight, Pitbull took a vicious shin to the head that was the beginning of the end. McKee followed up with a combination that included a devastating uppercut that floored Pitbull. McKee started to celebrate, but referee Mike Beltran hadn't officially called off the proceedings yet. Pitbull was too wobbled to take advantage of the lapse in judgement, and McKee quickly clamped on a guillotine. Pitbull didn't tap, but Beltran finally called off the fight after his arm went limp. This will represent Pitbull's first pro loss since 2016, and it will cost him both his featherweight belt and a $1 million check.
Retains belt, advances in Grand Prix
Freire defeated Emmanuel Sanchez via technical submission (guillotine choke) at 3:35 of Round 1 at Bellator 255 on April 2 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Conncecticut.
ANALYSIS
These two faced off back in November of 2018, when Freire won via unanimous decision. This time around, Sanchez didn't even make it more than a few minutes. Pitbull found a home for a right hook early than caused Sanchez to stagger, and he proceeded to cash in on the opportunity by jumping up for a guillotine and taking Sanchez down to the mat with him. Sanchez refused to tap and went to sleep instead before referee Todd Anderson stepped in to call off the proceedings. Freire will now advance to the finals of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix, where he'll take on a A.J. McKee at a yet-to-be-determined date and location with $1,000,000 on the line.
These two faced off back in November of 2018, when Freire won via unanimous decision. This time around, Sanchez didn't even make it more than a few minutes. Pitbull found a home for a right hook early than caused Sanchez to stagger, and he proceeded to cash in on the opportunity by jumping up for a guillotine and taking Sanchez down to the mat with him. Sanchez refused to tap and went to sleep instead before referee Todd Anderson stepped in to call off the proceedings. Freire will now advance to the finals of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix, where he'll take on a A.J. McKee at a yet-to-be-determined date and location with $1,000,000 on the line.
Headed for Grand Prix Final
Freire defeated Pedro Carvalho via KO (punch) at Bellator 252 on Nov. 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
ANALYSIS
Freire moved past the first round of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix with a unanimous decision victory over Juan Archuleta all the way back in September of 2019. The tournament picked up where it left off after Bellator took a break due to the global pandemic, but Freire showed no signs of rust. He was content to let Carvalho bring the action to him, and despite being at roughly a five-inch reach disadvantage, he was able to consistently sting Carvalho with sharp counters. After back-to-back knockdowns, referee Mike Beltran called an end to the proceedings. Freire will now face A.J. McKee, who submitted Darrion Caldwell via neck crank on the other side of the bracket in November. A date for this fight has not been set yet.
Freire moved past the first round of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix with a unanimous decision victory over Juan Archuleta all the way back in September of 2019. The tournament picked up where it left off after Bellator took a break due to the global pandemic, but Freire showed no signs of rust. He was content to let Carvalho bring the action to him, and despite being at roughly a five-inch reach disadvantage, he was able to consistently sting Carvalho with sharp counters. After back-to-back knockdowns, referee Mike Beltran called an end to the proceedings. Freire will now face A.J. McKee, who submitted Darrion Caldwell via neck crank on the other side of the bracket in November. A date for this fight has not been set yet.