Brazil’s Patrício Freire is new Bellator Lightweight Champion, dethrones Michael Chandler at ‘Bellator 221’ in Rosemont, Illinois

Fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, Patrício “Pitbull” Freire, 31, has been crowned the new Bellator Lightweight World Champion. He was one of the winners at “Bellator 221.”

Featuring 14 mixed martial arts matches, “Bellator 221” took place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, United States on May 11, 2019. In the main event of the evening, Freire challenged Michael “Iron” Chandler Jr., 33, of Nashville, Tennessee, USA, the then reigning Bellator Lightweight World Champion.

Rob Madrigal served as the referee of the main event of “Bellator 221.” He put a stop to the title bout after 1 minute and 1 second when Freire knocked out Chandler via punches.

Winning at “Bellator 221” improved Freire’s professional MMA record to 29 wins and 4 losses. On the other hand, Chandler now has 19 wins and 5 losses.

This makes Freire a two-division champion. He is also reigning as the Bellator Featherweight World Champion.

“Bellator 221” marked Freire’s 21st fight in Bellator MMA. He joined the promotion in 2010.

In Bellator MMA, Freire defeated Will “Leon” Romero,36, of Canada and Wilson Reis, 36, of Brazil in 2010, Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan, 33, of the U.S., Reis and Daniel Straus, 34, of the. U.S. in 2011 and Jared “Demon Eyes” Downing, 29, of the U.S., Diego “The Nun” Nunes, 36, of Brazil, Fabricio “Guerreiro” de Assis Costa da Silva, 28, of Brazil and Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox, 40, of the U.S. in 2013. Freire also beat Pat “Paddy Mike” Curran, 31, of the U.S. in 2014, Daniel “Drake” Weichel, 34, of Germany in 2015 and Henry “OK” Corrales, 32, of the U.S. in 2016.

Freire submitted Straus via guillotine choke in 2017. In 2018, Freire defeated Weichel and Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez, 28, of the U.S. via split decision and unanimous decision, respectively.

Born on July 7, 1987 in Natal, Freire has been competing professionally since 2004. He is the younger brother of Patricky “Pitbull” Freire, 33, who competes in the lightweight division of Bellator MMA.

Patricio was 10 years old when he started his training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When he was a teenager, he trained at the Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil.

Watch the “Bellator 221” press conference here: