Patricio ’Pitbull’ Freire, one of the most celebrated fighters in Bellator history, is officially making the jump to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). UFC CEO Dana White announced the highly anticipated news Wednesday, confirming Freire’s debut against former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314, set for April 12, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The Brazilian fighter, boasting an impressive record of 36 wins and 7 losses, has long been regarded as one of the premier featherweights outside the UFC. Freire’s arrival is seen as monumental, not just for him but for the featherweight division, which is already filled with talent. Known for his remarkable fighting prowess, Pitbull hopes to conquer new heights, stating, “It’s time to conquer a new crown. Featherweights, your future king has arrived!”
Freire’s transition to the UFC follows his turbulent time with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he expressed frustration due to inactivity and lack of communication from the organization. After being granted his release, the door opened for him to finally join the promotion he had long sought after. Pitbull had previously challenged for the bantamweight title against Sergio Pettis but lost via unanimous decision and faced another setback, getting knocked out against Chihiro Suzuki at RIZIN before his comeback fight against Jeremy Kennedy — where he secured victory by TKO.
Now, Freire is prepared to face Yair Rodriguez (19-5, 1NC), ranked #5 at 145 pounds, who finds himself on a two-fight losing streak. Rodriguez’s recent bouts included a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski, where he suffered a TKO defeat, followed by a submission loss to Brian Ortega. Rodriguez is eager to shake off these setbacks and is poised to show Freire the hostility of the UFC Octagon as he attempts to defend his place among the elite featherweights.
The matchup at UFC 314 is highly anticipated, not just for Freire’s long-awaited debut but also for the thrill of watching two talented fighters clash. Freire, having competed for Bellator since its inception, holds the accolade of being its most successful athlete, with three reigns as the featherweight champion and one as lightweight champion, defending his title nine times throughout his career. His experience and fierce fighting style are expected to contribute greatly to the dynamics of the bout.
With notable past victories over Michael Chandler, AJ McKee, and others, Freire has left no stone unturned to prove his mettle as he transitions to this new chapter. Sharing his perspective, he mentioned, “If I can’t get a title shot right away, give me someone who could lead me there sooner rather than later.” His eagerness to fight the top names suggests his ambition to quickly ascend the UFC ranks.
UFC 314 boasts other exciting bouts alongside Freire’s debut, highlighted by the championship fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight title as the main event. Freire’s presence on the card adds significant intrigue, as fans gear up to witness the blending of Bellator and UFC talent, including the co-main event confrontation between lightweight stars Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett.
“I believe my numbers and fight history will speak for themselves,” Freire remarked to MMA Junkie prior to this announcement. “It would be refreshing for the division to have someone like me come and shake things up. I’m not here to just fight; I'm here to challenge for the title.”
Rodriguez, aware of the stakes, remarked on the importance of the bout: “It'll be great to face Pitbull, who is highly regarded. I need to turn my career around, and beating him could redefine my path.” The stage is set for what could be one of the year’s standout matchups.
Fans of mixed martial arts are excited for this new chapter for Patricio Pitbull, whose arrival promises to invigorate the UFC featherweight division. UFC 314 is shaping up to be one of the most stacked cards of the year, making it clear, it’s not just another event — it's the dawn of Pitbull’s reign, or so he hopes.