Crossing paths with Usman Nurmagomedov in the grand prix final could make a storybook ending for Patricio Freire.
Freire (24-11 MMA, 15-9 BMMA) lost his lightweight title to Nurmagomedov in his most recent outing at Bellator 288 last November, and now has to get through a grand prix to win it back.
Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA), who submitted Benson Henderson in the opening round, is slated to face Brent Primus in the semifinals. If both men can get through their side of the bracket, 37-year-old Freire hinted that it could be the final fight of his career.
“It’s a good fight to make history,” Freire told MMA Junkie Radio on rematching Nurmagomedov. “Take my belt again, take $1 million, maybe finish my career, I don’t know. Let’s see.”
First up for Freire (24-11 MMA, 15-9 BMMA) is A.J. McKee (20-1 MMA, 20-1 BMMA) in the opening round of the 155-pound grand prix at Bellator X Rizin 2 on July 30 near Tokyo. Waiting for the winner of Freire vs. McKee is Alexandr Shabliy, who scored a TKO of Tofiq Musayev to advance to the semifinals.
Freire watched his brother Patricio split his two appearances with McKee, where he regained his featherweight title in a close decision win. McKee has since moved up to lightweight, but Freire isn’t expecting anything different from what he’s already seen.
“He don’t change nothing,” Freire said. “He fights the same style. Maybe he tried to change something, but I don’t believe too much.”
