Patricky
Freire
always aims high.
The former
Bellator
MMA lightweight champion will make his
Professional Fighters League debut opposite
Clay
Collard in a featured
PFL 2 attraction this Friday inside The Theater at Virgin
Hotels in Las Vegas. It represents Freire’s first step toward a
potential $1 million payday at the conclusion of the 2024 season in
the new-look PFL. No matter how the campaign ultimately unfolds,
“Pitbull,” now 38, sounds like a man who has grown comfortable in
his own skin.
“I’m very happy with my accomplishments,” Freire said. “I have
several knockout wins. I’ve had several excellent fights—fights
which were exciting for fans of MMA. I never have slow or boring
fights. I always give my best in the cage. I’ve had a beautiful
career, and it’s going to continue to be so. I still have the
hunger to be champion. Now in the PFL with new opponents. I’m very
motivated.”
Collard figures to be a difficult first hurdle to clear. However,
the 2023 PFL lightweight finalist finds himself on the rebound
following back-to-back losses to
Olivier
Aubin-Mercier and
A.J. McKee.
Collard lost a five-round decision to Aubin-Mercier in November,
then submitted to an armbar from McKee just 70 seconds into their
encounter on Feb. 24.
“He’s an exciting opponent,” Freire said. “He always has good
fights with a strong rhythm, but I think I’m much more dangerous
and complete. I can KO or submit you. I have several weapons, both
standing and on the ground. I have greater KO power. I’m focused on
my own game. I’ll impose my game and break him in half. He’s an
exciting fighter, but I’m not focused on what he does. It’s going
to be an interesting fight. It’s a good style matchup for me. The
fans will love it.”
Should Freire get past Collard, the stakes will only rise as his
first season in the PFL progresses. The Brazilian has won nine of
his past 13 bouts but has not suited up since he dropped a
unanimous decision to
Alexandr
Shabliy in the semifinals of the Bellator lightweight grand
prix on Nov. 17. Freire welcomes the challenges that await him.
“I feel great,” he said. “I feel very healthy and able to keep on
fighting. I can train hard on equal terms with anyone. I’ll be in
this sport for a long time still. It’s a difficult and dangerous
sport. It saddens me that altogether I’ve lost years of my career
due to injuries. I’m about to face another tough fighter, but I’m
confident in my game.
“Everyone wants the $1 million dollar prize,” Freire added. “I have
a gigantic opportunity in front of me. I’m very confident and
motivated that I’ll win this tournament. It’s a lot of money, and
with it being American dollars, that’s even better since that’s
worth five times more in Brazil.”