Only a day on the
Final Combating Championship roster, and Patricio
Freire is already calling his pictures.
After months of thriller, Freire was
introduced on Wednesday by Dana White as a brand new UFC
featherweight. The previous Bellator MMA nice will make his new promotional debut
at
UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, the place he’ll come to blows with
former interim beltholder Yair
Rodriguez. Filled with vim and vigor, “Pitbull” talked to a number of
Brazilian YouTube channels on Thursday, revealing particulars concerning the
negotiation course of and the place he sees himself within the panorama.
“This [matchmaker] thought I used to be outdated, however my supervisor was capable of
persuade him quite the opposite by recalling that I used to be born within the
identical, day, month and yr as [Alex
Pereira],” Freire defined to “Sexto Spherical.”
The fighter believed that he was being held out of the UFC as a result of
one of many matchmakers didn’t need him on the roster. When that
concern fell away, Freire wished to hit the bottom working,
claiming he accepted many challenges provided to him. One identify that
Freire claimed wouldn’t face him was Aljamain
Sterling, whereas the Brazilian additionally famous that Rodriguez
initially turned him down as nicely. When the choice to match him
with Steve
Garcia didn’t materialize, Rodriguez was introduced again up for
consideration.
“I accepted [to fight Garcia], however sadly, I wouldn’t have
time to [apply for] the work visa, so [the] UFC lastly acquired Yair
Rodriguez [to accept] to face me in April,” the previous Bellator
kingpin later advised journalist Laerte
Viana.
“It could not be a greater option to make my Octagon debut,” “Pitbull”
remarked. “Combating [on the main card of a pay-per-view] towards
such a proficient and aggressive striker ranked among the many high 5,
like Yair, in an occasion the place the vacant featherweight title shall be
determined in the principle occasion.”
Since Freire is aware of there shall be plenty of shifting elements to achieve the
championship image, even with a win in April, he’s paying shut
consideration to potential matchups for him down the road. Suggesting he
is one win away from a championship spot, Freire mentioned to Tremendous Lutas he
has his sights set on the winner of Alexander
Volkanovski and Diego Lopes
in the principle attraction of UFC 314. He additionally weighed in on Ilia
Topuria’s determination to vacate his 145-pound belt, as Topuria was
one different identify on his record.
“Ilia will attain light-weight, [and he will be] actually sturdy,” the
37-year-old analyzed. “It was the identical case as mine once I went to
light-weight. Frankie
Edgar is one other good instance. He’s smaller than I and
dominated [the lightweight] division for a few years. Topuria has
above common jiujitsu and is a tremendous striker. Volkanovski did
a fair battle with Makhachev, [so] I really imagine Topuria can take
the crown of Makhachev.”
