Patricky Pitbull

Patricky Freire (born January 21, 1986), known professionally as Patricky Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Lightweight division, where he is a former Bellator Lightweight Champion.

He is the older brother of featherweight fighter Patrício Pitbull.

As of December 8, 2023, he is #3 in the Bellator Lightweight Rankings.

After competing in many Brazilian promotions, Freire compiled a 7–1 record before entering the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament.

He faced former WEC Lightweight Champion, Rob McCullough at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011, in the opening round of the tournament.

He won via TKO in the third round.

Freire went on to face two-time finalist Toby Imada in the semifinal at Bellator 39.

Freire defeated Imada via knockout in the first round after landing a brutal flying knee and following up with a flurry of punches which caused Imada to fall to the mat unconscious.

The win saw him progress to the final of the tournament where he faced fellow finalist Michael Chandler at Bellator 44.

Freire lost via unanimous decision.

Freire next faced Kurt Pellegrino at Bellator 59 on November 26, 2011.

He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Freire faced Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 76.

After a back-and-forth opening minute that saw both fighters rocked, he lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

It was announced that Freire will face Guillaume De Lorenzi in the Bellator 2013 Lightweight Tournament on January 31.

Unfortunately, Freire suffered an injury and pulled out of the Lightweight Tournament a few days prior to this fight.

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on September 7, 2013, as he faced Derek Anderson at Bellator 98.

Despite winning the first round, Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In March 2014, Freire entered into the Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament, where he faced David Rickels in the opening round at Bellator 113.

He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

In the semifinals, he faced Derek Campos at Bellator 117.

Again he won the fight via TKO in the second round.

He was scheduled to face Marcin Held in the finals at Bellator 120.

However, Held was forced out of the bout due to injury, and the fight was subsequently cancelled.

The bout eventually took place at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014.

Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After nearly a year away from the sport, Freire returned to face Saad Awad at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the first rematch of his career, Freire faced Derek Anderson for a second time on December 4, 2015, at Bellator 147.

He again lost the fight, this time by controversial split decision.

Freire replaced an injured Derek Anderson to face Ryan Couture at Bellator 148 on January 29, 2016.

He won the bout via knockout in the first round.

It was announced that Freire will face Derek Campos for the second time as the Bellator 152 main event.

Just four days before their scheduled bout Campos pulled out due to injury and replaced by the newly signed former UFC fighter Kevin Souza.

In May 2016, Bellator President Scott Coker announced that Freire would have a rematch against Michael Chandler at Bellator 157 on June 17, 2016.

The bout was for the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship, which was vacated when champion Will Brooks was released from the promotion.

Freire lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Freire was expected to face Derek Campos for a second time at Bellator 167 on December 3, 2016, however Freire was forced out of the bout due to an injury.

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on February 18, 2017, in the main event at Bellator 172 against Josh Thomson.

He won the fight via knockout in the second round.