With the conclusion of the 2023 PFL Championship, the new PFL champs have determined the fighters they will fight from Bellator in the future. One includes 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship Jesus Pinedo (23-6-1), who’ll have his Bellator counterpart in Patricio Freire (35-6-0). And in case the two meet inside the cage in the future, the Peruvian is confident that he could take down the Brazilian opponent without the help of the judges’ decision.
PFL’s purchase of Bellator marked the former’s plan to expand its promotion business further to better compete against UFC. Part of that is its planned faceoff of champions from two brand promotions. This has stirred excitement among fighters, including Larissa Pacheco and Kayla Harrison, who would have to get in line to fight Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg. Aside from that, one thrilling bout that MMA fans can expect is the one between Jesus Pinedo and Patricio Pitbull.
Pinedo made a mark with his latest win at PFL after defeating Gabriel Braga via third-round TKO with his knee and punch attacks. The victory didn’t just give him the third fight in his winning streak: it also granted him his successful revenge on Braga, who defeated him earlier in their PFL 2023 Featherweight bout in April. Now, “El Mudo” is more than willing to face his next opponent in Freire.
“He’s a tough rival, just like everyone I’ve been fighting,” Pinedo said via an interpreter during the 2023 PFL Championship post-fight interview with MMA Junkie. “It’s just another fight for me, and I’m ready. I know that I will finish that fight. It won’t reach a decision, just like all the other fights I’ve been doing.”
The Peruvian will be facing Pitbull, the current featherweight world champ at Bellator. Despite coming from his recent loss to Sergio Pettis at Bellator 297 in June, Freire won’t be an easy match. With his long MMA career, the fighter is known for achieving impressive winning streaks and performing submissions wins. Of his 35 bout victories in his career, Pitbull boasts 12 submissions and 11 KO/TKO wins. And with his recent defeat, Pinedo can expect an aggressive and desperate opponent to face him soon.
