Outside Source
Recent Ultimate Fighting Championship pickup Freire was slated to battle newcomer Losene Keita on the main card of UFC Paris last week. Ahead of their featherweight encounter, Keita tipped the scales at 149 pounds, or three above the divisional limit. The Brazilian opted not to accept a catchweight solution, and the match was canceled.
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After that took place, plenty of sniping and chatter from both sides came on social media, with Keita accepting blame and practically begging Freire to fight him. Freire was unconvinced, and explained outright why he declined to compete that night.
“I was called four weeks before the event,” Freire wrote. “My opponent had the advantage in age, reach, and time zone, since he lives in Belgium, right next to the event venue. It doesn’t make sense for me to still give him the weight advantage when there were still three hours left and he decided he didn’t want to make weight anymore.”
Additionally, Freire had a bit of extra shade to throw.
“If you want to blame anyone, blame my opponent. ‘Black Panther’…he’s ‘Fat Panther.’”
Derek Brunson Campaigns for Freire vs. Keita in Rio
After multiple exchanges between the two involved parties, ex-UFC athlete Derek Brunson spoke out on social media in favor of the Belgian and suggested that ‘Pitbull’ use the Brazilian fans to warmly welcome the MMA prospect to his home country.
“I just want to see vet [against a] young prospect,” Brunson posted on social media. “Such a good matchup on paper! Now [Keita] should have to travel to Rio as the crowd greets him with, ‘Uh, vai morrer!’”
Determined to fight in Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 11, the Bellator MMA great responded to Bronson by guaranteeing he’ll accept against any fighter, as long as they meet their obligations and make the 146-pound weight requirement.
“Like I said, I’ll fight anyone who makes the contract weight. If he’s still on the roster and the UFC decides to schedule the fight for Rio, I’ll be ready. It’s been 16 years since I last fought in Brazil. But he has to make weight. If he can’t, I’m open to fighting anyone who can,” the Brazilian replied.
As I said, I’ll fight anyone who makes the contracted weight. If he’s still on the roster and the @ufc decides to rebook the fight for Rio I’m ready. It’s been 16 years since I last fought in Brazil. But he has to make weight. If he can’t, I’m open to fight anyone else who can. https://t.co/l0P3Js5c10
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) September 11, 2025
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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