Bellator Champ Patricio Freire Discusses UFC Move, Potential Opponents

Patricio Freire is keeping is options open for the future.

After recently admitting interest in moving to the UFC upon completing his Bellator contract, Freire revisited that subject in an interview with Super Lutas.

“Actually I’ve heard a rumor this week saying that Bellator and PFL will continue as separate organizations but will exchange fighters,” he siad. “It would be very interesting to finish my contract with the belts from both organizations.”

Even if that doesn’t come to fruition, Freire remains interested in testing his skills in the UFC once his Bellator deal has been fulfilled.

"I believe my career deserves a UFC (opportunity), and if I leave the organization with two titles, I have better conditions to enter the UFC doing a fight against a top contender,” he said.

Freire has three opponents in mind if he were to sign with the UFC.

“As the biggest (name) in Bellator history, I would love to start by facing (featherweight champion) Alexander Volkanovski, but I also would be glad to face the guy (who fights all the top contenders), Max Holloway. I think we could do a great fight too,” Freire said.

Freire would also be interested in revisting his rivalry with old Bellator foe Michael Chandler.

“After I knocked him out in one minute, his chin has never been the same,” Freire said. “For the amount of bulls—t he talked about me, he deserved to be beaten worse. If I meet him again, I promise I'll not be so fast. I´ll beat him for 15 or 25 minutes.”