Following his impressive performance at UFC 318, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire has made it clear who he wants to face next. Surprisingly, it`s not the reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, Alexander Volkanovski, a fighter Pitbull has long aspired to challenge since his days as a dominant champion in Bellator MMA.
Pitbull`s highly anticipated UFC debut earlier this year at UFC 314 didn`t unfold as planned, resulting in a decision loss to former interim champion Yair Rodriguez. This setback significantly pushed the 38-year-old veteran down the featherweight rankings, necessitating a climb back into contention. His path forward began with a bout against the #11-ranked contender, Dan Ige, at UFC 318.
Demonstrating a far more dominant performance than in his debut, the legendary Bellator fighter secured his first UFC victory, defeating Dan Ige by unanimous decision. In the aftermath of this significant win, Pitbull wasted no time in publicly declaring his desired next opponent.
Patricio Pitbull Demands Aaron Pico Following First UFC Win
Before joining the UFC ranks earlier this year, Pitbull faced considerable hurdles securing his release from the PFL. During his time there, a highly anticipated featherweight title clash between him (then champion) and the promising prospect Aaron Pico was widely rumored but ultimately never materialized.
Interestingly, Pico followed Pitbull to the UFC just months later, setting the stage for a potential showdown. The accomplished wrestler and former Golden Gloves boxing champion was initially scheduled to face the undefeated top contender Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi the following week. However, Evloev`s withdrawal due to injury opened the door, and Pitbull wasted no time in expressing his readiness to step in as a replacement.
“I just want Aaron Pico,” Pitbull emphatically stated to reporters at the UFC 318 post-fight press conference. “If he’s ready, I’m ready. Just a little problem with my nose, I cut my nose, but in two days, I am good.” Dismissing the notion of Pico fighting anyone else first, Pitbull declared, “It`s not necessary. He can make his debut in the UFC against me.”
Patricio Pitbull and AJ McKee: Rivals Still Winning Apart
Aaron Pico isn`t the only significant rival Patricio Pitbull carried over from his Bellator career. Pitbull famously engaged in two thrilling contests with former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee in 2022, resulting in their series being tied 1-1. McKee secured the first victory via submission, but Pitbull avenged the loss and reclaimed his title by defeating McKee via decision in their highly anticipated rematch.
Years later, and now competing under different promotional banners, both Pitbull and McKee continue their winning ways across the globe. On Saturday, McKee handed Khabib Nurmagomedov`s promising protégé, Akhmed Magomedov, his first professional PFL loss in Cape Town, South Africa. Just hours later, Pitbull celebrated his own milestone, securing his inaugural UFC victory in New Orleans, Louisiana. Notably, this marked McKee`s first win at featherweight since dethroning Pitbull in 2022.
Commenting on his former adversary`s recent triumph, Pitbull remarked that McKee`s win came after he was effectively “kicked out” of the lightweight division following a loss to Paul Hughes last year.
