Patricio “Pitbull” Freire talks title defense July 14, Injuries & Pro-Wrestling

A perennial Bellator headliner, Patricio “Pitbull” Friere was set to defend his Bellator Featherweight title last November, but has now been sidelined for well over a year. With Bellator often relying on the Friere brothers, he’s springing back into action…with his sixth rematch in Bellator.

On July 14, Pitbull will take on Daniel Weichel, who he actually defeated in June 2015. When speaking to Fightful.com’s James Lynch, he noted that he’d dealt with a knee injury that eventually led to a heel ailment.

“I had an injury on my MCL, another (guy) jumped on my leg. I could only go back and forth, not lateral. It’s caused an inflammation on my Achilles, so that’s why I couldn’t fight,” said Friere.

Pitbull noted that he was looking forward to “something new,” and said Emmanuel Sanchez, AJ McKee and James Gallagher were all opponents he would have rather faced as opposed to a rematch with Weichel. There was however, an exception for a potential rematch.

“The only person I’d want to rematch is Pat Curran. We are 1-1, and he’s been getting some good results lately. One of those four guys should be next in line,” said Pitbull.

Still, Weichel is next in line for Pitbull, and the two will do battle at Bellator Rome.

In the full interview, Patricio Pitbull Freire (26-4) discusses his upcoming title defense against Daniel Weichel (39-9) at Bellator Rome on July 14.