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Patricky Pitbull
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Patricky Pitbull
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Patricky de Sousa Freire (born January 21, 1986), known professionally as Patricky Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Lightweight division. He most notably competed for Bellator MMA, where he was a former Bellator Lightweight Champion. He is the older brother of featherweight fighter Patrício Pitbull.

Key Information

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Bellator MMA

[edit]

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.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3]

Freire next faced Kurt Pellegrino at Bellator 59 on November 26, 2011. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[4]

Freire faced Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 76.[5] After a back-and-forth opening minute that saw both fighters rocked, he lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[6]

It was announced that Freire will face Guillaume De Lorenzi in the Bellator 2013 Lightweight Tournament on January 31.[7] Unfortunately, Freire suffered an injury and pulled out of the Lightweight Tournament a few days prior to this fight.[8]

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on September 7, 2013, as he faced Derek Anderson at Bellator 98.[9] 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.[10] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[11] In the semifinals, he faced Derek Campos at Bellator 117. Again he won the fight via TKO in the second round.[12] 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.[13] The bout eventually took place at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014.[14] Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

After nearly a year away from the sport, Freire returned to face Saad Awad at Bellator 141 on August 28, 2015.[16] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

In the first rematch of his career, Freire faced Derek Anderson for a second time on December 4, 2015, at Bellator 147.[18] He again lost the fight, this time by controversial split decision.[19]

Freire replaced an injured Derek Anderson to face Ryan Couture at Bellator 148 on January 29, 2016.[20] He won the bout via knockout in the first round.[21]

It was announced that Freire will face Derek Campos for the second time as the Bellator 152 main event.[22] Just four days before their scheduled bout Campos pulled out due to injury and replaced by the newly signed former UFC fighter Kevin Souza.[23]

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.[24] Freire lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[25]

Freire returned to the Bellator cage on February 18, 2017, in the main event at Bellator 172 against Josh Thomson.[26] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[27]

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.[28] The rematch was scheduled to take place at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017.[29] However, Freire instead faced Benson Henderson at Bellator 183 on September 23, 2017.[30] He won the fight by split decision. Freire is facing a 180-day medical suspension, unless he gets physician clearance regarding right rib pain.[31]

Freire faced Derek Campos in a rematch at Bellator 194 on February 16, 2018.[32] He won the fight via TKO in round one.[33]

Freire faced Roger Huerta on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205.[34] He won the fight via knockout.[35]

Bellator booked Freire against newcomer Ryan Scope for their first show in the Bellator Europe series that marked the start of the organization's partnership with Channel 5 and Sky Sports. The event was called Bellator Newcastle and took place on February 11. Despite rupturing a tendon in his right wrist on the first round of the fight, Freire won by split decision.[36]

On February 20, 2019, Bellator announced that Freire had signed a multi-year, multi-fight contract extension with the organization.[37]

Rizin FF

[edit]

Due to his brother being the prevailing Bellator Lightweight champion, Patricky decided to take part in Rizin FF Lightweight tournament. In the first round of the tournament, Freire faced Tatsuya Kawajiri at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019.[38] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[39]

In the semifinals of the grand prix Freire faced Luiz Gustavo at Rizin 20 - Saitama on December 31, 2019.[40] Freire won the fight via a first minute knockout and advanced to the grand prix final.[41]

The 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix final was held in the same event with the semifinals. Despite Tofiq Musayev receiving a yellow card in the second round, Freire lost the fight via unanimous decision after being knocked down and largely dominated in every round.[42]

Post-Rizin GP

[edit]

In the first fight after the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix, Freire was expected to headline Bellator Dublin 2 against Peter Queally on October 3, 2020.[43] However, Queally was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a hand injury.[44] Freire was subsequently rebooked to face Jaleel Willis two weeks later at Bellator 249 on October 15, 2020.[45] In turn, this bout was cancelled the day of the event when the Mohegan Tribal Athletic Commission deemed Freire unable to compete due to what was termed an undisclosed medical issue.[46]

Freire faced Peter Queally at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[47] After sustaining a cut on his forehead from an elbow while Queally was on the bottom, the doctor stopped the fight between rounds after the cutman was unable to stop the bleeding.[48]

Bellator Lightweight World Champion

[edit]

Freire rematched Peter Queally at Bellator 270 on November 5, 2021.[49] On October 6, 2021, Patricky's younger brother and Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion Patrício Pitbull announced he vacated the title and that the rematch with Queally would be for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.[50] Freire won the bout via second-round technical knockout to become Bellator Lightweight World Champion.[51]

Freire was scheduled to make the first defence of the Bellator Lightweight World Championship against Sidney Outlaw on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283.[52] On July 4, it was announced that Patricky had sustained an injury and that the bout would be scrapped.[53]

Freire then made his first defence, against Usman Nurmagomedov on November 18, 2022, at Bellator 288.[54] He lost the fight and the belt via unanimous decision after a one-sided fight.[55]

Lightweight Grand Prix

[edit]

On January 11, 2023, Freire was announced as one of the 8 participants in the $1 million Lightweight Grand Prix.[56]

Freire was scheduled to face A.J. McKee in the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarter-Final as part of Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[57] However, on July 26, it was announced McKee had pulled out of the bout due to an injury, and that he was replaced by Rizin Lightweight Champion Roberto de Souza.[58] Freire won the bout by a leg kick technical knockout.[59]

In the semifinals, Freire faced Alexandr Shabliy on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301.[60] In dominant fashion, Shabliy beat Patricky via unanimous decision, gathering all 50-45 scorecards from the judges.[61]

PFL

[edit]

Freire started the 2024 season with a bout against Clay Collard on April 12, 2024, at PFL 2.[62] He lost the fight by second-round technical knockout.[63]

Freire faced Bruno Miranda on June 21, 2024, at PFL 5.[64] He lost the bout via split decision.[65]

On January 21, 2025, Patricky announced that he had been released from his PFL contract per his request and signed with the Global Fight League.[66] However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[67]

Freire faced Shunta Nomura on July 27, 2025, at Super Rizin 4, and lost the bout via unanimous decision.[68]

Grappling career

[edit]

Freire faced Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of ADXC 10 on May 31, 2025.[69] He lost the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.[70]

Championships and awards

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
40 matches 25 wins 15 losses
By knockout 17 4
By submission 1 1
By decision 7 10
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 25–15 Shunta Nomura Decision (unanimous) Super Rizin 4 July 27, 2025 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 25–14 Bruno Miranda Decision (split) PFL 5 (2024) June 21, 2024 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss 25–13 Clay Collard TKO (punches) PFL 2 (2024) April 12, 2024 2 1:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 25–12 Alexandr Shabliy Decision (unanimous) Bellator 301 November 17, 2023 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 25–11 Roberto de Souza TKO (leg kick) Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 July 30, 2023 3 0:49 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (161 lb) bout. Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Loss 24–11 Usman Nurmagomedov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 288 November 18, 2022 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Lost the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 24–10 Peter Queally TKO (punches) Bellator 270 November 5, 2021 2 1:05 Dublin, Ireland Won the vacant Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Loss 23–10 Peter Queally TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 258 May 7, 2021 2 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 23–9 Tofiq Musayev Decision (unanimous) Rizin 20 December 31, 2019 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Final.
Win 23–8 Luiz Gustavo TKO (punches and soccer kick) 1 0:28 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 22–8 Tatsuya Kawajiri KO (flying knee and punches) Rizin 19 October 12, 2019 1 1:10 Osaka, Japan 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 21–8 Ryan Scope Decision (split) Bellator Newcastle February 9, 2019 3 5:00 Newcastle, England
Win 20–8 Roger Huerta KO (punch) Bellator 205 September 21, 2018 2 0:43 Boise, Idaho, United States
Win 19–8 Derek Campos TKO (punches) Bellator 194 February 16, 2018 1 2:23 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 18–8 Benson Henderson Decision (split) Bellator 183 September 24, 2017 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 17–8 Josh Thomson KO (punch) Bellator 172 February 18, 2017 2 0:40 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 16–8 Michael Chandler KO (punch) Bellator 157: Dynamite 2 June 24, 2016 1 2:14 St. Louis, Missouri, United States For the vacant Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
Win 16–7 Kevin Souza Decision (unanimous) Bellator 152 April 16, 2016 3 5:00 Torino, Italy
Win 15–7 Ryan Couture KO (punch) Bellator 148 January 29, 2016 1 3:00 Fresno, California, United States
Loss 14–7 Derek Anderson Decision (split) Bellator 147 December 4, 2015 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 14–6 Saad Awad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 141 August 28, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Loss 13–6 Marcin Held Decision (unanimous) Bellator 126 September 26, 2014 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win 13–5 Derek Campos TKO (punches) Bellator 117 April 18, 2014 2 0:52 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 12–5 David Rickels KO (punches) Bellator 113 March 21, 2014 2 0:54 Mulvane, Kansas, United States Bellator Season Ten Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 11–5 Edson Berto Decision (unanimous) Bellator 107 November 8, 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 10–5 Derek Anderson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 10–4 Eddie Alvarez KO (head kick and punches) Bellator 76 October 12, 2012 1 4:54 Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Loss 10–3 Lloyd Woodard Submission (kimura) Bellator 62 March 23, 2012 2 1:46 Laredo, Texas, United States Bellator Season Six Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 10–2 Kurt Pellegrino TKO (punches) Bellator 59 November 26, 2011 1 0:50 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 9–2 Michael Chandler Decision (unanimous) Bellator 44 May 14, 2011 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Final.
Win 9–1 Toby Imada KO (flying knee and punches) Bellator 39 April 2, 2011 1 2:53 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 8–1 Rob McCullough TKO (punches) Bellator 36 March 12, 2011 3 3:11 Shreveport, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 7–1 Yure Machado Decision (unanimous) Arena Gold Fights 2 July 17, 2010 3 5:00 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 6–1 Marlon Medeiros TKO (flying knee and punches) Platinum Fight Brazil 3 May 20, 2010 2 N/A São Paulo, Brazil
Win 5–1 Emerson Queiroz Submission (guillotine choke) Gouveia FC 1 April 8, 2010 2 N/A Natal, Brazil
Loss 4–1 Willamy Freire Technical Decision (unanimous) Rino's FC 4 September 27, 2007 3 1:45 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win 4–0 Maykon Costa Decision (unanimous) Leal Combat: Natal July 5, 2007 3 5:00 Natal, Brazil
Win 3–0 Joao Paulo Rodrigues KO (stomps) Cage Fight Nordeste November 9, 2006 1 0:50 Natal, Brazil
Win 2–0 Gleidson Alves Martins KO (punches) Fight Ship Looking Boy 2 November 22, 2005 3 N/A Natal, Brazil
Win 1–0 Arquimedes Vieira KO (stomps) Fight Ship Looking Boy 1 September 8, 2005 1 N/A Natal, Brazil

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Patricky Pitbull

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (born January 21, 1986) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing primarily in the division (155 lbs). Known for his aggressive striking and power, he is a former World Champion, having captured the title in November 2021 via second-round against Peter Queally. As of November 2025, Freire maintains a professional record of 25 wins and 15 losses, with 17 of his victories coming by or TKO, and he trains out of the Pitbull Brothers camp in , . Freire is the older brother of Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, another accomplished Bellator champion who has held titles in both and divisions, making the siblings the first brothers in MMA history to both become world champions in a major promotion. Hailing from but fighting out of Natal, Freire began his professional career in 2005 and quickly rose through regional Brazilian circuits before signing with Bellator in 2010, where he debuted with a first-round knockout of former WEC champion Rob McCullough. His Bellator tenure spanned over a decade, featuring high-profile wins against fighters like , though he also suffered notable losses to in title challenges in 2011 and 2016. After losing the lightweight title to Usman Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision in November 2022, Freire transitioned to the (PFL) in 2024 but departed the promotion in early 2025 to sign with Global Fight League (GFL). He continued competing internationally, including a unanimous decision loss to Shunta Nomura at Rizin FF Super Rizin 4 on July 27, 2025, marking his most recent bout as an active veteran seeking to reclaim contention in the lightweight ranks. Throughout his career, Freire has been recognized for his durability and family-oriented approach to the sport, often crediting his brother and their shared training environment for his longevity in MMA.

Biography

Early life

Patricky de Sousa Freire, known professionally as Patricky Pitbull, was born on January 21, 1986, in , , . He spent his early years in the northeastern state of , eventually moving to the city of Natal, where he was raised in a working-class family amid significant socioeconomic hardships. These challenges were compounded by regional violence. Growing up in this environment, Pitbull and his Patrício found inspiration in combat sports as a means of empowerment and escape. Their interest in was ignited in their youth by watching early UFC events on television, particularly Royce Gracie's dominance through against larger opponents. This exposure motivated Patricky to pursue fighting, with his sibling's parallel journey serving as additional encouragement in their shared path toward MMA. In his late teens, Pitbull transitioned to formal MMA training at local academies in Natal, honing his skills in a region known for producing talented fighters despite limited resources. This foundational period laid the groundwork for his development into a professional athlete, emphasizing and resilience forged from his upbringing.

Family and training background

Patricky "Pitbull" Freire shares a close familial bond with his younger brother, Patrício "Pitbull" Freire, who is also a prominent MMA fighter and former Bellator champion. The siblings, raised in , , began training in martial arts together as children, starting with around ages 10 and 11, which fostered their competitive yet supportive relationship. They continue to train side by side at the Pitbull Brothers gym in Natal, where they serve as sparring partners and mutual motivators, avoiding direct sessions due to their intense competitiveness. The Pitbull Brothers gym, co-founded by Patricky and Patrício, emphasizes an integrated training regimen that combines for striking, wrestling for takedown defense, and for ground control, reflecting their comprehensive approach to MMA development. Early training camps in focused on these disciplines, with key influences including guidance from of the Chute Boxe Academy during Patricio's formative years. Given Patricky's compact frame—standing at 5'7" with a 71-inch reach—their regimen particularly honed his striking skills to compensate for reach disadvantages against taller opponents. Their dedication stems from strong family support, including from parents Marlusa and Lucílio, which helped them overcome early financial hardships in Natal that initially limited access to full-time training. These challenges motivated Patricky to pursue MMA professionally, viewing it as a means to secure stability for his family and transition from part-time training to a committed career path.

Mixed martial arts career

Early professional career (2005–2010)

Patricky Pitbull made his professional debut on September 8, 2005, defeating Arquimedes Vieira by first-round via stomps at Fight Ship Looking Boy 1 in . He quickly followed this up with another victory, stopping Gleidson Alves Martins via stomps in the third round at Fight Ship Looking Boy 2 just two months later. Pitbull built an early undefeated streak of four wins, showcasing his aggressive striking with three knockouts, including a first-round stoppage of Joao Paulo Rodrigues de Souza via stomps at Cage Fight Nordeste in November 2006. His streak included a over Maykon Costa at Leal Combat - Natal in 2007, but it ended later that year with a loss to Willamy Freire at Rino's FC 4. After nearly three years away from the , Pitbull returned in with a submission win, locking in a against Ermesson Silveira Queiroz in the second round at Gouveia Fight Championship. He continued his resurgence with a highlight-reel second-round TKO via flying knee and punches over Marlon Medeiros at Platinum Fight 3, followed by a unanimous decision victory against Yure Machado at Arena Gold Fights 2. Competing primarily in regional Brazilian promotions such as Fight Ship Looking Boy, Cage Fight Nordeste, and Platinum Fight Brazil, Pitbull compiled a 7-1 record by the end of 2010, with five of his victories coming via or TKO—approximately 70% of his early wins by strikes—solidifying his reputation as a developing artist. His foundation during this period was built through training at the Pitbull Brothers gym in , .

Bellator MMA debut and tournaments (2011–2018)

Patricky "Pitbull" Freire made his debut in the Season Four Lightweight Tournament in 2011, signing with the promotion after compiling an undefeated streak in regional Brazilian circuits. In his promotional opener at Bellator 36 on March 12, he defeated former WEC lightweight champion Rob McCullough via third-round TKO (punches) at 3:11, showcasing his aggressive striking and pressure. Advancing to the semifinals at Bellator 39 on April 2, Freire secured a highlight-reel against with a flying and follow-up punches just 2:53 into the first round, earning Performance of the Night honors and demonstrating his explosive knockout power. He reached the tournament final at Bellator 44 on May 14 but fell to via unanimous decision after three rounds, with Chandler dominating through wrestling and ground control. Returning for the Season Six Lightweight Tournament in 2012, Freire entered as a favored contender but was eliminated early. At Bellator 62 on March 23, he suffered a second-round submission loss () to Lloyd Woodard at 1:46 in the quarterfinals, marking a setback after his strong debut year. Later that year, in a non-tournament bout at Bellator 76 on October 12, Freire faced former Bellator lightweight champion and was knocked out via head kick and punches at 4:54 of the first round, further testing his resilience against elite competition. Throughout the mid-2010s, Freire competed in non-tournament bouts, steadily building his standing in the division with a mix of striking finishes and decisions. In 2013, he notched a quick first-round TKO (punches) over at Bellator 59 on November 26 but dropped a to Derek Anderson at Bellator 98 on September 7. The following year, he rebounded with knockouts against (second-round punches at Bellator 113 on March 21) and Derek Campos (second-round punches at Bellator 117 on April 18), only to lose a to top prospect Marcin Held at Bellator 126 on September 26. By 2015, Freire's consistency shone through a victory over at Bellator 141 on August 28, though he followed it with a loss to Anderson in a rematch at Bellator 147 on December 4. In 2016, he delivered a first-round punch against at Bellator 148 on January 29 and a win over Edimilson Souza at Bellator 152 on April 16, but was stopped again by Chandler via first-round at Bellator 157 on June 24. Freire closed out the period with a surge of momentum in 2017 and 2018, solidifying his status as a top contender. He knocked out with a second-round punch at Bellator 172 on February 18 and edged former UFC champion via split decision at Bellator 183 on September 23. In 2018, he started strong with a first-round TKO (punches) over Campos in their rematch at Bellator 194 on February 16 and capped the year with a second-round punch against at Bellator 205 on September 21, highlighting his enduring threat. By the end of 2018, Freire had amassed a Bellator record of 14-6, with 10 of his wins coming by or TKO, establishing him as one of the division's most dangerous strikers.

Rizin FF and inter-promotion period (2019–2020)

In late 2019, Patricky Pitbull signed on to compete in RIZIN Fighting Federation's Lightweight Grand Prix as a representative of , marking his debut in the Japanese promotion. The tournament's quarterfinal took place at RIZIN 19 on October 12, 2019, in , , where Pitbull faced Japanese veteran . Pitbull secured a quick victory by knockout, landing a flying knee followed by punches at 1:10 of the first round, advancing to the semifinals. At RIZIN 20 on December 31, 2019, in Saitama, , Pitbull met fellow Brazilian in the semifinals. He dominated early, dropping his opponent with punches before finishing with soccer kicks at 0:28 of the first round to earn the technical knockout and a spot in the final. Later that evening, Pitbull challenged Azerbaijani fighter for the Grand Prix title. Despite a competitive bout, Musayev outstruck Pitbull over three rounds to win by (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), denying Pitbull the championship. Pitbull entered the final with a broken hand but fought through the injury, later revealing multiple other ailments that required recovery time. He avoided and targeted a May 2020 return to Bellator, but a diagnosis sidelined him further, canceling his scheduled bout against Jaleel Willis at Bellator 249 on October 15, 2020. Pitbull's run to the RIZIN final, which included two first-round stoppages against established opponents, highlighted his power and resilience on an international stage, building momentum with seven wins in his prior eight fights and setting the stage for Bellator title contention upon his return.

Bellator Lightweight Championship reign (–2023)

Patricky Pitbull captured the vacant Bellator Lightweight Championship on November 5, 2021, at Bellator 270 in , , defeating Peter Queally via second-round TKO at 1:05 with a barrage of punches after a body kick rocked his opponent. This victory marked Pitbull's first world title in Bellator, avenging a 2019 loss to Queally and solidifying his status as a top contender in the division after years of consistent performances. Pitbull's reign lasted nearly a year, during which he was scheduled to make his first title defense against at Bellator 283 on July 22, 2022, in , but withdrew due to an undisclosed injury, leading to Outlaw's removal from the card as well. The injury delayed his activity, but he returned to defend the belt in the co-main event of on November 18, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois, facing undefeated challenger . Nurmagomedov dominated the five-round bout with superior grappling and control, winning by (50-45, 50-44, 50-44) to claim the title and end Pitbull's championship run without a successful defense. Following the title loss, Pitbull remained with Bellator and entered the 2023 World Grand Prix to pursue a path back to contention. In the quarterfinals at on July 30, 2023, in , , he defeated Rizin Champion Roberto de Souza via third-round TKO at 0:49, using a leg kick to drop his opponent followed by ground strikes. His grand prix run ended in the semifinals at on November 17, 2023, in , where Alexandr Shabliy outstruck him over five rounds for a unanimous decision victory (50-45 across all cards), advancing Shabliy to the final. These bouts concluded Pitbull's Bellator tenure with a 2-2 record from 2021 to 2023, highlighting both his resilience and challenges in the division's elite competition.

PFL and recent MMA bouts (2024–2025)

In 2024, Patricky Pitbull transitioned to the (PFL) for its regular season, marking a new chapter after his Bellator tenure. He debuted on April 12 at PFL 2 against , where he suffered a first-round TKO loss via punches at 2:18, hampered by Collard's aggressive striking and pressure. Despite the setback, Pitbull competed again on June 21 at PFL 5 versus Bruno Miranda, dropping a close after three rounds of competitive exchanges, with judges scoring it 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28 in Miranda's favor. These back-to-back defeats left him 0-2 in the season, preventing advancement to the playoffs and extending a skid that began with his 2023 Bellator lightweight title loss. Following the disappointing PFL campaign, Pitbull was released from the promotion on January 22, 2025, amid the three-fight losing streak that diminished his standing in the division. He quickly signed a multi-fight deal with the newly formed Global Fight League (GFL) the same day, joining a roster that included other veteran talents in anticipation of its team-based 2025 season debut. However, GFL canceled its inaugural events scheduled for April and May 2025 due to logistical and financial challenges, leaving Pitbull without any bouts under the banner and rendering the signing inactive. Pitbull returned to competition with Rizin Fighting Federation at Super Rizin 4 on July 27, 2025, facing Japanese Shunta Nomura in . Nomura dominated with superior speed and volume striking, securing a victory after three rounds (30-27 across all judges), handing Pitbull his fourth consecutive loss and updating his professional record to 25-15. This bout highlighted ongoing challenges in Pitbull's later career, as he struggled to reclaim momentum against rising international contenders.

Grappling career

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions

Patricky Pitbull, a member of the Pitbull Brothers academy in Natal, , holds a black belt in , which forms a core component of his foundation. He has maintained this rank for over 14 years as of 2021, highlighting his long-term dedication to the discipline despite his primary focus on . Pitbull's training regimen places significant emphasis on submission techniques, leveraging his jiu-jitsu expertise to develop a versatile ground game. This approach is evident in his professional MMA record, where he achieved one submission victory via against Ermesson Silveira Queiroz at Gouveia Fight Championship on April 8, 2010. Throughout his MMA career, Pitbull has integrated his background to bolster defense, allowing him to neutralize opponents' attempts and transition effectively on the mat.

Professional grappling events

Pitbull made his debut in professional grappling in 2025, transitioning from his extensive MMA background to compete in high-profile submission-only events that emphasize pure techniques. With a foundation in developed through years of training at Pitbull Brothers gym, he adapted his MMA wrestling skills to the no-gi, submission-focused rulesets of these competitions, prioritizing positional control and finishing holds over striking. His first professional grappling match occurred at ADXC 10 on May 31, 2025, in , , against UFC lightweight contender in a superfight under ADXC's rules. Despite showing resilience by surviving early dominance and engaging in competitive exchanges, Pitbull was ultimately submitted by rear-naked choke in the fifth round after Tsarukyan controlled the bout for over four rounds. This outing highlighted Pitbull's evolution in the submission arts, as he tested his grappling prowess against one of the top wrestlers in MMA, even if the result underscored the challenges of pure grappling against elite specialists. To date, his professional grappling record stands at 0-1, reflecting determination in facing high-caliber opponents despite the losses.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

  • '''Bellator MMA''' ** Lightweight World Champion (1 time; November 5, 2021 – November 18, 2022)

References

  1. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Patricky-Freire-38544
  2. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2553999/patricky-pitbull
  3. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/patricky-freire-pitbull
  4. https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/63649402
  5. https://pflmma.com/fighter/patricky-pitbull
  6. https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-bellator-champion-patricky-pitbull-212014208.html
  7. https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-why-didnt-patricio-pitbulls-brother-patricky-sign-with-the-ufc/
  8. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2585895-bandits-bullets-and-blood-feuds-the-making-of-bellator-champ-patricio-pitbull
  9. https://fightersonly.com/article/ext/37644/
  10. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2553999/patricky-pitbull
  11. https://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/90e6dde9113830bd
  12. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2011/02/patricky-pitbull-freire-official-for-bellators-season-four-lightweight-tourney
  13. https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/12/20910975/patricky-pitbull-blasts-tatsuya-kawajiri-with-flying-knee-to-punches-finish-at-rizin-19
  14. https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/12/31/21044091/patricky-pitbull-soccer-kicks-his-way-to-rizin-lightweight-tournament-final
  15. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2019/12/31/rizin-ff-20-tofiq-musaev-outbattles-patricky-pitbull-to-capture-lightweight-grand-prix-title/81905427007/
  16. https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/12/31/21044176/patricky-pitbull-multiple-injuries-rizin-gp-finals-could-need-surgery-mma-bellator
  17. https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/1/3/21047970/patricky-pitbull-avoids-surgery-injuries-rizn-20-bellator-mma
  18. https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/10/16/21519680/patricky-pitbull-fight-bellator-249-labyrinthitis-mma
  19. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/bellator/2020/10/13/bellator-249-pre-event-facts-patricky-pitbull-freire-most-knockouts-history-record/81719905007/
  20. https://www.mmamania.com/2021/11/5/22766283/knockout-patricky-pitbull-stuns-peter-queally-wins-vacant-lightweight-title-bellator-270-video-mma
  21. https://www.postwrestling.com/2021/11/05/bellator-270-report-patricky-pitbull-defeats-peter-queally-to-claim-the-vacant-bellator-lightweight-championship/
  22. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-lightweight-champion-patricky-pitbull-out-of-title-defense-vs-sidney-outlaw-at-bellator-283/
  23. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35057122/usman-nurmagomedov-routs-patricky-freire-win-bellator-lightweight-title
  24. https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/63686139
  25. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/11/bellator-301-results-alexander-shabliy-vs-patricky-pitbull-freire-grand-prix
  26. https://www.mmamania.com/2025/1/22/24349755/bellator-champion-patricky-pitbull-released-pfl-signs-with-gfl-ufc-mma
  27. https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/1/22/24349723/former-bellator-champion-patricky-pitbull-signs-gfl-pfl
  28. https://www.fightful.com/mma/new-mma-promotion-gfl-cancels-debut-events-future-uncertain
  29. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/129306-super-rizin-4
  30. https://www.mmamania.com/2017/2/15/14503668/bellator-172-patricky-pitbull-interview-josh-thomson-fight-san-jose-lightweight-mma
  31. https://bloodyelbow.com/2021/11/12/bellator-champ-patricky-pitbull-praises-passionate-irish-fans-aims-title-defense-record-mma-news/
  32. https://ajptour.com/en/federation/1/news/2610
  33. https://jitsmagazine.com/adxc-10-full-results-and-highlights/
  34. https://bloodyelbow.com/2021/11/05/bellator-270-results-highlights-patricky-pitbull-stops-peter-queally-wins-lightweight-title-mma-news/
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