Patricio “Pitbull” (image via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire isn’t saying he plans to leave Bellator, but the decorated fighter would like the opportunity to face the UFC’s best.

On account of his resume, which includes winning both Bellator’s featherweight and lightweight titles, Freire has long been considered one of the best fighters on the planet. As a result, there’s been extensive speculation about how Freire would do against the UFC’s elite fighters.

The 33-year-old quickly stopped Michael Chandler in May, 2019, who is currently one of the UFC’s top lightweights.

Recently Freire spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing his wish to fight more of the UFC’s best, the star said this.

“I definitely want to have a shot at those guys – especially the ones that people say I can’t beat or that would beat me easily,” Freire said. “It’s not that the UFC interests me most, actually. I’d like to create history, something new in the sport – to create a big cross-promotion, like in boxing (where) you have the champions sometimes fighting each other. That’s what we’re missing in MMA right now. I’d like to be the guy to start that.”

“…There’s something more that I would like to add to this sport. I’d like to be part of this big movement to make this change (and) force the UFC. I already beat your future champion. So let’s put everyone together and see who’s really the best. The fans would want that. The sport needs that. No more, ‘This promotion or that promotion?’ There is a business side of things, but people want to see the best fighting the best.”

Freire (31-4) is coming off a knockout win over Pedro Carvalho in the quarterfinals of Bellator’s featherweight grand prix.