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Patricio “Pitbull” Freire Wants to Fight Michael Chandler at Lightweight Next
Speaking to reporters backstage after his victory at Bellator 178, featherweight champion Patricio Freire discussed what’s next for his career (via MMAjunkie). Freire voiced that he’d now like to fight lightweight champion Michael Chandler next in Bellator.
Freire on wanting to fight Chandler: “I don’t care about this belt. To me, that’s just a piece of tin. All I want is to tear (Chandler’s) head off. Bellator knows that. Four years ago, I told them from 135 to 170, I can fight anyone. I’m ready. Bellator gives the people what they want, and the people want that fight – so let’s do it.”
Freire’s thoughts on the press conference: “(Grudges are) part of the sport – it happens. But during the press conference, he said he could stop my entire family on the same night. So he’ll have to prove that in the cage.”
On wanting to break record: “I just want to break records. I’m very happy – Daniel Straus is a very tough fighter, but I’m tired of fighting him. So I came here to put an end to this (rivalry). I came here to showcase something different, as I said I would – and here we are. I have the belt again. … Daniel Straus is a good fighter, and I think it was more my merit than his mistake. Now I have 10 submissions, so I need to get my knockouts up to 10, as well.”