Losene Keita’s UFC debut against Patricio Pitbull was canceled after Keita missed weight by three pounds at the UFC Paris weigh-ins on September 5, 2025. The 27-year-old Belgian, a former two-division Oktagon MMA champion, came in at 149 pounds, three pounds over the featherweight limit of 146 pounds. Pitbull, a former Bellator two-division champion, made weight at 145 pounds but refused a catchweight fight, leading to the bout’s removal from the September 6, 2025, card at Accor Arena.
Keita’s UFC Debut Falls Apart
Video footage, leaked by Pitbull’s brother Patricky Freire on Instagram three days after the event, showed Keita pleading with Pitbull in a locker room conversation, offering half his purse to save the fight. Pitbull called Keita unprofessional and suggested he move to lightweight. UFC senior vice president David Shaw noted Keita could get another chance.
Patricky Freire posted on Instagram:
“Fat panther did not even try! He had more than two hours to try to cut, and he was already apologizing and hydrating himself wanting to convince my brother to accept the fight.”
In the video, Keita said:
“Please, I know I f*cked it up. I know. My coaches said — please. I’ve been waiting for this call all my life. Normally, I don’t even talk to my opponent like this. I’m not sweating. We tried everything. I’m not sweating no more. I tried. Even now, I was trying. I talked with everybody. This is my life. I just want to fight.”
Pitbull responded:
“I gave you all the advantages, but I can’t give you this advantage.”
Keita pleaded, “It’s only one kilo. It’s only one kilo. Please don’t take this away from me.”
Pitbull said, “You take it, not me. That’s your fault.”
Keita insisted, “You can even take half of my money, I don’t care! I just want to fight.”
Pitbull replied, “That’s your fault. Not mine. That’s not on me.”
Keita came back, “Bro, you’re a fighter. We are fighters.”
Pitbull said, “I’m a fighter. But I am professional. 145 pounds. Your debut in the UFC against me. You have one hour and a half to try [and make weight].”
Pitbull added, “go to lightweight.”
Patricio Pitbull turned pro in 2004 at age 16. With a 37-8 record, he’s a former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion, holding records for most wins (24), title defenses (9), and finishes in Bellator. He joined the UFC in 2025 after leaving PFL, debuting with a loss to Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314 in April 2025, then winning against Dan Ige at UFC 318 in July 2025. His brother, Patricky Freire, is a Bellator lightweight champion.
