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There are no longer any “Pitbull” brothers competing under the
Professional Fighters League banner.
On Tuesday, Patricky
Freire announced his release from the PFL, and a day later, his
signing with the fledging Global Fight League become official.
Freire confirmed the news following an initial report from MMAFighting.com.
The GFL is expected to launch a team-based MMA format beginning in
April. The draft to select the fighters to represent each team — a
pool which now includes Freire — is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m.
ET. In recent weeks a number of notable former champions and
veterans have been linked to the organization.
Freire competed twice for the PFL during its 2024 season, falling
to Clay
Collard and Bruno
Miranda. The elder “Pitbull” brother was best known for a
lengthy stint with Bellator
MMA, where he enjoyed a brief reign as lightweight champion.
During his Bellator tenure, Freire bested the likes of Benson
Henderson, Josh Thomson
and Roger
Huerta, among others.
“Former [Bellator] lightweight champion, most wins in the
lightweight division and most KOs in company history,” Freire wrote
on social media. “I’ll never forget all the amazing moments I had
with the organization. And a couple of fun fights [with] the PFL.
I’m excited for what will be coming next.”
While Patricky Freire has presumably found his new MMA home,
Patricio
Freire’s next move remains to be seen. The former Bellator
featherweight king was
granted his PFL release week after repeatedly voicing his
displeasure with the promotion.
