Predicting a second-round knockout of Juan Archuleta in the featherweight grand prix at Bellator 228, a confident Patricio Pitbull was calling himself the G-word.
Los Angeles, CA — In order to compete at lightweight, where he won the championship against Michael Chandler earlier this year, Patricio Freire, more commonly known as Patricio Pitbull, brought his weight up to 175lbs. Now, at Bellator 228, as part of the featherweight grand prix, he’s moving back down.
Speaking via coach Eric Albarracin at times, and at other times answering directly, Pitbull spoke to reporters including Cageside Press at Wednesday’s Bellator 228 open workouts.
On the weight front, Albarracin, translating, said that “he’s had to suffer a little bit to get it back down, but he’s back to normal. This is nothing new for him.”
What is new, however, is the grand prix format. Pitbull (29–4) will defend his featherweight title against Juan Archuleta in the opening round. During the broadcast, there will be a lottery to determine the second round pairings.
Asked about the format, Pitbull himself told reporters that “the only thing I don’t like [about] this, is because I had a lot of fights in Bellator, [leaving fighters] that I already beat. Like Weichel, I fought him two times. Straus, but he’s out.”
Emmanuel Sanchez is another former Pitbull victim. He won his opening round fight against Tywan Claxton earlier this month. Another former foe, Patt Curran, fell to Adam Borics.
In the long run, however, Pitbull doesn’t seem to mind. “It’s okay, no problem. Let’s fight. That’s my job,” he said.
As champ, however, he is wearing a target in the tournament. And several fighters, most notably Darrion Caldwell and AJ McKee, have worked to agitate the champ. “Because I am the GOAT. I am the champ-champ. I am the GOAT. That’s why they want to face me,” Pitbull told Cageside Press.
Queried about who he wants moving forward in the tournament, Patricio said he wasn’t choosing. “I can choose to face no one, because it no make sense for me. I’m the champ, so if someone comes, let’s go.” As for Archuleta, Pitbull predicted “I’m going to knock him out in the second round.”
Watch the full Bellator 228 open workout scrum with Patricio Pitbull above! The event takes place Saturday, September 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.
