The Best Lightweight You’ve Probably Never Seen <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8ogQhql41AY" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe> The UFC has a roster as deep as the Mariana Trench. But when it comes to employing the most exciting and promising MMA lightweight prospect, Bellator Fighting Championship might have the edge on their competition. That edge is Patricky “Pitbull” Freire, a 24 year-old Brazilian who is set to face off with Michael Chandler for Bellator’s Season 4 Lightweight Tournament final this Saturday night. Freire, a native of Natal, Brazil, spent the first five years of his MMA career fighting for a variety of promotions in and around his hometown. He compiled a record of 7-1 during this span with the lone loss coming via a questionable technical decision in a bout ripe with the type of controversy common in the small, local Brazilian promotions. The loss apparently came with a silver lining as it prompted Freire to have an old knee injury surgically repaired. After a year and a half hiatus while recovering, Patricky returned with 2 straight victories in Brazil before signing with Bellator in January 2011. Freire’s initiation into the Bellator Fighting Championship came in the form of 155 pound tournament quarterfinal bout against former WEC Champion Rob McCullough. Freire blasted out McCullough in the third round with a perfectly delivered left hook earning a trip the semifinal and a fight with Bellator tourney veteran, Toby Imada. Despite being heavily favored to make a return trip to the tournament final, Imada ended up on the painful end of a Freire flying knee in the first round. After a few follow-up punches, Pitbull secured the first round TKO victory and a place in Bellator’s Lightweight final. Unfortunately, based on Bellator’s ratings thus far this season, most fans will miss the opportunity to watch this up and coming fighter. Bellator 44 Main Card From Atlantic City, NJ Middleweight bout: Hector Lombard vs. Falaniko Vitale Lightweight Tournament Final bout: Patricky Freire vs. Michael Chandler Middleweight bout: Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brett Cooper
Patricky is a good example of an appropriate layoff following rehabilitation of a major knee surgery. He basically spent almost 3 years recovering from that injury, but he hasn't missed a beat since. Still, prefer Patricio Pitbull, Patricky is good, but I think his brother is a top 5 talent in his division while Patricky probably isn't.
And...... Patricky fails the real MMA test. Can you beat a very good wrestler? And the answer was no.
