Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire has finally gotten his revenge against AJ McKee.
The rubber match would come eight months after McKee not only dethroned him but also took away a $1M grand prize. McKee ran through Pitbull in the first fight, but the second assignment wouldn’t be so easy for ‘The Mercenary’.
How the fight played out
Pitbull and McKee would end up having a close, competitive matchup this time around. From rounds 1 to 5, the two would engage in an incredibly technical striking battle. There wasn’t much grappling exchanges, with Pitbull shutting down the majority of McKee takedowns.
The fight on the feet would be almost dead even.
The former champ would nearly submit McKee with a guillotine in round 3, but McKee simply would not tap. McKee would get out and performed better in the championship rounds.
While McKee kept the fight competitive, it wouldn’t be enough to bag a victory. McKee and Pitbull would go the distance, where all three judges scored the fight in favor of Pitbull. It would be AJ McKee’s first loss as a professional.
‘Bellator’s greatest fighter’ was back on top.
Official result: Patricio Pitbull defeats AJ McKee via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Check out the highlights below:
That's one way to start the fight!#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/ku9ByPiHxg
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Round 1 is in the books! This one is TENSE 👀#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/9IA5ELWUxR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
You could cut the tension with a knife at the @SAPCenter.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/xFTk2l4w0g
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
WOW! @PatricioPitbull tags @AJMcKee101, but then the champ gets the takedown.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/UkQachFXkL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Some nice strikes from @AJMcKee101. Is he doing enough to retain his title?#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/o2QCtCaozj
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
👑 The King of rematches is once again the King of the Featherweights.#AndNew World Champion, @PatricioPitbull – winning by Unanimous Decision.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/FoxBMVceOk
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
🗣 "On that day…I came in peace. Today…I came for war."@PatricioPitbull did not mince words as to his intentions tonight at #Bellator277. 🇧🇷#AndNew pic.twitter.com/OgY82VUIxU
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
