Bellator Featherweight champion Patricio Freire has no doubt that he is the second best 145-pounder in MMA today. Ready to face Daniel Straus at Bellator 132 this Friday, “Pitbull” recognized that his fellow FW champion Jose Aldo is above him in a supposed unified ranking but told Globo that his resume speaks for itself.
“Considering that I have 11 years of career and only two split decision losses to former FW champions, Pat Curran and Joe Warren. Warren is the Bantamweight champion, was the FW champion and also was a wrestling world champion. Considering my numbers, achievements and results, I put myself behind only of Jose Aldo, for now, because he has already seven title defenses. By now, he’s the number one and I’m the number two. If any person shows me a 145-pounder that did more than me, I change my position at this ranking, but I can’t see that happening.”
Freire also wants to avenge his loss to Warren and hold two belts at the same time.
“I know that I just won the title but our career is short and you have to take everything possible. I want to break all divisional records, defend my belt as many times as is possible and I would like to unify my belt with the BW’s. I plan to fight at 135-pound division without losing my title and face Warren to clean up that SD loss of my record. I want to have two titles at the same time.”
Regarding Straus, Freire only wants to impose a beating after what he heard in some of his opponent’s recent interviews.
“He said some things that bothered and motivated me, so I’ll hit this guy a lot. This is great because it’s going to be me who will dictate the violence rhythm. He’s coming aggressive, but with the Pitbull this is a bad idea. Telling that he’ll be aggressive and violent is a joke. No opponent can be more violent than me, even if I’m hurt. No-one.”
Freire and Straus already fought once on May of 2011, at Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament Final. “Pitbull” was able to win by unanimous decision in the co-main event of Bellator 45.