One of the Professional Fighters League’s most vocal critics is now a free agent.
PFL Chairman and Founder Don Davis announced via social media on Tuesday that Patricio Freire has been released from the promotion, and Sherdog.com later confirmed the news with a promotion official. In recent months, Freire has criticized both the contract and the lack of activity since the PFL acquired Bellator at the end of 2023.
“[The PFL] Everything is an opportunity,” Davis wrote. “I founded this company to create great new opportunities for top fighters. PFL has done that and will continue to do that for all the top fighters who want to be here. ”
Now on sale @Patricio Pitbull
@PFLMMA everything is a chance
We founded this company to provide new and great opportunities for top fighters.
PFL has done and will continue to do so for all the top fighters who want to be here.
#PFLMMA
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL)
January 14, 2025
Freire’s departure, one of the top featherweights in the world regardless of the promotion, comes on the heels of Davis’ announcement of the end of the Bellator MMA brand. The 37-year-old Brazilian was the current Bellator featherweight champion before his release, one of several title stints he enjoyed with the promotion. Freire only competed once after acquiring PFL, defeating Jeremy Kennedy by third-round TKO in a 145-pound title bout at the Bellator Champion Series in Belfast in March of this year.
“Pitbull” had a 36-7 record during his career, which began in 2004. Many of his most notable moments include Daniel Strauss (3 times), Pat Curran, Daniel Weikel (2 times), Michael Chandler, and AJ McKee to name a few.
