Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is the consensus greatest fighter in the history of Bellator MMA.
The longtime featherweight champion and former two-weight titleholder is also now a free agent after he was released by the Professional Fighters League, PFL founder Donn Davis announced Tuesday.
The 37-year-old from Brazil has only fought once since Bellator and PFL merged in late 2023.
After matchups with Jesus Pinedo and Gabriel Braga did not come to fruition in February of 2024, Freire was paired with Canadian Jeremy Kennedy last March and defended his featherweight belt with a third-round technical knockout win.
Freire has been one of the more vocal fighters, openly expressing disappointment in dealing with new PFL management since the two UFC rival organizations merged.
Freire is 36-7 in mixed martial arts and had multiple reigns as Bellator’s 145-pound champion.
His most notable win was in 2019 when he moved up a division to become a simultaneous two-weight champion by finishing Michael Chandler in 61 seconds to win the lightweight title.
Freire is one of the most accomplished fighters of his era to never compete under the UFC banner.
