Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire (image via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has some obstacles ahead of him he needs to tackle first. But, ahead of the decorated fighter’s bout this Friday with Sergio Pettis, Freire’s raised the possibility of dropping to flyweight.

“Pitbull” is scheduled to fight the bantamweight champ at Bellator 297, which is taking place in Chicago, Illinois. Freire currently holds Bellator’s featherweight crown and he previously, also held the lightweight title.

While talking with the media ahead of the card, Freire reported that his cut to bantamweight is going so well, he believes a drop to flyweight could be possible (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“First, I have to get the victory. But I don’t know. We have Patchy Mix as an interim champion. Maybe, (I’ll) go for the fourth belt. I don’t know. Let’s see what is going to happen. I’m feeling great. I’m fresh. I’m feeling good.”

“… Before accepting that fight against Sergio, it was not in my mind. I am like seven kilos (above) the featherweight division and I know it’s hard to make weight. But now, I’m like six months on diet or more and I realized that it’s possible. So after this fight, if I win the fight and the belt is available to a challenger, I’m on it.”

Freire (35-5) is coming off a decision win over RIZIN’s featherweight champ, Kleber Koike Erbst, in December. The 35-year-old Brazilian fighter is 4-1 in his last 5 bouts.

Pettis (22-5), meanwhile, hasn’t fought since December, 2021, when he knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi. The 29-year-old American has won five straight.