Patricio Pitbull to Debut Against Yair Rodriguez

Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire, a former two-division champion in Bellator, has signed with the UFC and will debut against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314 in Miami. Freire's transition to the UFC follows his release from the PFL, which acquired Bellator in 2023, and a period of dissatisfaction with the lack of fight opportunities. Known for his successful tenure in Bellator, where he held titles in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions, Freire seeks to add UFC gold to his accolades. His opponent, Rodriguez, a top-ranked featherweight with a record of 19-5-1, poses a significant challenge with his unorthodox striking style. Freire's notable victories include a 2019 knockout win over current UFC fighter Michael Chandler. The upcoming fight is part of UFC 314, which will also feature a headline bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes for the vacant featherweight championship.