Patricky Freire has only one thing on his mind: The Bellator lightweight title.
Now in the semifinals of the Bellator lightweight grand prix, Freire (25-11 MMA, 16-9 BMMA) can see the end goal. Freire, who lost the title to Usman Nurmagomedov in November 2022, defeated Roberto de Souza in the opening round of the grand prix this past Saturday at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 at Saitama Super Arena near Tokyo.
Freire now will take on Russia’s Alexandr Shabliy in the semifinals looking for a spot in the final and a chance to fight for the belt. He said he thinks he’s ready.
“He’s a very tough athlete,” Freire said when asked about Shabliy at the Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 post-fight press conference. “Everybody knows that the Russian athlete is very tough. But it doesn’t matter who’s in front of me. I’m going to destroy (him). That’s what’s on my mind. I’m going to be champion. That’s the only thing that matters.”
Freire was happy to not only get a win and advance in the grand prix, but to fight in Japan. It was his fourth fight there and thinks it was his best experience.
“It looks like this time the Japanese fans were happier,” Freire said. “They were more vibrant, and they were yelling, and I really like that. I enjoy that. They give me their energy.”
