Los Angeles, CA — The finale of the Bellator featherweight grand prix will take place this Saturday at The Forum in Los Angeles. The big showdown atop Bellator 263 is essentially in A.J. McKee’s backyard, putting 145lb champ Patricio Pitbull in enemy territory.
And he doesn’t mind it one bit.
“I like that, because everyone thinks about this, and I can see all the pressure is on his shoulders, not mine,” Pitbull (32-4), a longstanding member of the Bellator roster and arguably its biggest homegrown star following the exit Michael Chandler, told Cageside Press during the event’s open workout recently.
Properly Patricio Freire, Pitbull and McKee have had several back-and-forth squabbles in recent years. It will all come down to 25 minutes or less this Saturday in the end, and as for the trash talk, “that’s normal competition,” said Pitbull, “but I know how dangerous he is.”
Asked to list the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent, Pitbull allowed that when it comes to McKee, “he’s complete, he can knock people out and finish too, but he’s very nervous when he’s fighting.”
When has he shown those nerves? “All fights,” said Pitbull.
The featherweight champion, currently in his second reign, has the chance at a million dollars should he win the tournament. Money is not on his mind, however, he told Cageside Press. “I don’t care about the million, I care about my legacy. My destiny. And that’s it.” As for what is left for him in the future, “nothing. I’m already the best,” the Brazilian exclaimed.
He has a good case. Patricio Pitbull entered the featherweight grand prix as champion, and may very well leave it that way. Which has him, as he later put it, proving “the same thing again and again and again.”
Watch the full media appearance by Patricio Pitbull at the Bellator 263 open workouts above. The event takes place this Saturday, July 31, 2021 at The Forum in Los Angeles.
