Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, a former dominant force in Bellator with a 24-6 record and 14 finishes across three featherweight title reigns, reflects on his UFC debut at UFC 314. While he enjoyed significant success in Bellator, replicating that knockout power in his first UFC appearance proved challenging.
The 37-year-old Brazilian fighter experienced a decision loss to Yair Rodriguez on the UFC 314 main card in Miami. Pitbull acknowledges his performance could have been stronger, describing the fight`s initial stages as “boring” due to inactivity from both fighters. Ultimately, he concedes that Rodriguez earned the victory.
“Having fought many five-round bouts throughout my career, perhaps my sense of urgency was slow to ignite,” Pitbull explained. “It was my mistake not to begin more aggressively, though this cautious approach was intended to avoid errors. I prefer precision in my attacks. Overall, I recognize I could have been more proactive, more aggressive in pursuing the fight. Hindsight is 20/20, and we could have performed better.”
Pitbull dismisses the notion of feeling overwhelmed by the UFC octagon in his debut. In fact, he suggests he might have been “too relaxed,” which could have contributed to his performance. Accustomed to winning in Bellator, Pitbull is determined to reshape his trajectory in the UFC.
“Now, as I am no longer champion, I must become the hunter,” Pitbull declared, emphasizing a shift in mindset. “This is precisely my intention for my upcoming fights. It’s a necessary change, and one I will embrace.”
Engaging with fans, Pitbull initiated a social media poll to gauge interest in his next opponent. Dan Ige emerged as the preferred choice over Josh Emmett, Aljamain Sterling, and Diego Lopes. Ige also competed at the Miami event, securing a controversial knockout victory against Sean Woodson, despite leading on scorecards prior to the finish.
“These are all strong contenders, and I anticipate that these matchups are the direction we’re heading. However, I’ve also conveyed to the UFC that I’m open to surprises,” Pitbull stated. “My aspiration was to start my UFC journey with a win. Had I defeated Yair Rodriguez, a top-5 ranking and potential title contention would have been within reach. Now, my focus shifts to the top 15. It’s a somewhat disappointing outcome, but I understand this is the path forward.”
