Patricky Freire Seeking Support From Fans in Asking For a Title Rematch

Patricky Freire spoke with MMAjunkie about attempting to garner fan support for a title rematch for him. Highlights are below:

On not pushing solely by himself: “I don’t want to verbally convince the boss that I deserve another title shot. I want to keep winning. I want to demonstrate that I have what it takes to be the next champion. I want the fans to start asking the promotion. It’s not about whether I feel I deserve it, or it being my turn. I would like my American and Brazilian fans to start demanding this from the promotion.”

On facing Derek Campos at Bellator 194: “This isn’t the opponent I wanted. I always like to face different fighters. But Derek Campos is coming off four wins. No matter what, whether I win or he does, one of us should challenge for the belt next. If that doesn’t happen, it would bother me. If Bellator allows me to keep fighting and making money, it wouldn’t bother me as much. I just don’t want to be idle for a long time. Derek Campos, after he lost to me, only lost to Michael Chandler. He beat Derek Anderson, who defeated me twice. He currently has two victories by decision, and two by knockout. He’s near the top, as I am, and we’re close to fighting for the belt.”

On proving his case for a title shot: “Beating two opponents like Ben Henderson and Josh Thomson, I believe it’s something every fighter wants in his career. They’re both big names in MMA – great champions. They’ve both had great battles. They’re two fighters I’ve beaten. Having to face them made me evolve even more as an athlete, and as a person. I also see how humble they both are on a personal level. We can learn from that. Great athletes are also very humble, as opposed to others who haven’t accomplished half as much, but act with arrogance. They think they’re a big deal. They’re not. I did a lot of learning, even in victory.”