Patrício Pitbull Freire Bio
Patrício André de Sousa Freire, known professionally as Patrício Pitbull, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on July 7, 1987, in Mossoró, Brazil, he is a two-time Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Bellator Lightweight Champion. Freire is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Bellator MMA history and is known for his striking and grappling skills.
Early Life and Background
Patrício Pitbull was born in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, and grew up in the outskirts of Natal. He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of ten to overcome challenges related to his size. As a teenager, he trained at the renowned Chute Boxe academy alongside notable MMA fighters such as Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio Rua, which helped shape his early fighting skills.
Path to MMA
Freire started his professional MMA career in March 2004 at just 16 years old, competing primarily in Brazil. Over five and a half years, he built an undefeated record of 12–0, mostly by stoppage, establishing himself as a top prospect outside North America. His early success led to his signing with Bellator MMA, where he would rise to international prominence.
Patrício Pitbull Freire Career
Early Career (2004–2010)
Freire competed in regional Brazilian circuits, gaining attention for his aggressive style and finishing ability. His undefeated streak and skill set positioned him as a promising talent before joining Bellator. He initially trained with Team Nogueira from 2004 to 2010, where he refined his mixed martial arts techniques.
Bellator MMA Breakthrough (2010–2024)
Patrício made his Bellator debut in 2010, quickly advancing through the Featherweight Tournament with notable wins by submission and knockout. Although he lost the tournament final to Joe Warren by split decision, he returned stronger in subsequent seasons. In Bellator Season Four, he won the Featherweight Tournament and earned a title shot. Despite injuries delaying some opportunities, he captured the Bellator Featherweight Championship in 2014 by defeating Pat Curran.
Freire successfully defended the featherweight title multiple times, showcasing his versatility with victories by submission, knockout, and decision. He also moved up to Lightweight, winning the Bellator Lightweight Championship in 2019 by defeating Michael Chandler, becoming one of the few fighters to hold two Bellator titles simultaneously. His reign included notable defenses and participation in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix, where he faced fierce competition including A.J. McKee.
In 2021, Freire vacated the Lightweight title to support his brother’s career ambitions. He regained the Featherweight title in 2022 and continued to defend it successfully. In 2023, he moved down to Bantamweight to challenge for the Bellator Bantamweight Championship but lost via unanimous decision. Later that year, he suffered a first-round knockout loss in a catchweight bout. Throughout his Bellator career, Freire was known for his resilience, technical skill, and championship pedigree.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2025–Present)
In early 2025, Patrício Pitbull signed with the UFC, marking a new chapter in his career. He debuted against former Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodríguez at UFC 314 but lost by unanimous decision. He rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 318. A scheduled bout against Losene Keita was canceled due to weigh-in issues. Freire continues to compete at the highest level in the UFC Featherweight division.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Patrício Pitbull is known for his well-rounded fighting style, combining precise striking with strong grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. His black belt rank in Brazilian jiu-jitsu complements his aggressive stand-up game, allowing him to adapt to various opponents. He is particularly effective at controlling the pace of fights and executing submissions and knockouts when opportunities arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Freire is recognized as the second fighter in Bellator history to hold two titles simultaneously and the first to compete for three major world championships across different weight classes. His multiple title defenses and participation in high-profile tournaments have cemented his legacy as one of Bellator’s all-time greats. His transition to the UFC in 2025 marks a significant milestone in his career.
Patrício Pitbull Freire Career Wins
Patrício Pitbull has amassed a professional record of 37 wins and 8 losses, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision. His career highlights include multiple Bellator championships and notable wins over top contenders in both Featherweight and Lightweight divisions.
Bellator MMA Highlights
Freire’s Bellator tenure is marked by three Featherweight Championship reigns and one Lightweight Championship. His first Bellator Featherweight title came in 2014, followed by successful defenses and a move up to Lightweight where he captured the title in 2019. He defended his Featherweight title multiple times, including in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix. His most recent Bellator wins include unanimous decision victories and knockout finishes, demonstrating his sustained elite performance.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining Bellator, Freire compiled an undefeated record in Brazil, showcasing his finishing ability with stoppages in nearly all fights. His early career success laid the foundation for his international achievements and championship runs.
Patrício Pitbull Freire Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Patrício Pitbull is the younger brother of Patricky Pitbull, also a professional lightweight MMA fighter. The brothers have supported each other’s careers, with Patrício vacating a Bellator title to avoid obstructing Patricky’s title aspirations. Their family has a strong presence in Brazilian MMA.
Personal Life
Patrício is married to Teresa, and the couple has two sons. He resides in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. His personal life remains relatively private, focusing on family and his fighting career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Patrício Pitbull transitioned to the UFC, facing high-level competition in the Featherweight division. His debut at UFC 314 resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Yair Rodríguez, but he bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 318. A scheduled fight against Losene Keita was canceled due to weigh-in issues. Freire’s UFC campaign is in its early stages, with expectations for continued success given his extensive championship experience and skill set.