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AJ McKee vs Patricio Pitbull 2 is reportedly in the works for a yet-to-be-announced Bellator card in April.
Veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani first broke the news via his Helwani Nose Substack page, that a championship rematch between the current featherweight king and his long-time predecessor is expected to headline Bellator yet to be announced card in April.
McKee (18-0) and Freire (32-5) originally met in the main event of Bellator 263 in July of 2021. Not only was the bout a matchup with “Pitbull’s” 145-pound title on the line, but it also served as the finals of the organization’s featherweight Grand Prix. Even though he was a slight betting underdog heading into the bout, McKee was the dominant force on fight night when he surprised many by hurting and then submitting the multi-time champion in less than two minutes. Taking home not one but two belts last year.
It was the Brazilians first defeat in the division in nearly six years, as well as the only time he has ever been submitted or stopped in the opening round during his impressive 37 fight career.
AJ McKee vs Patricio Pitbull 2 expected to take place in April
The victory was a star-turning moment for “Mercenary” as he earned his first major MMA championship, surrounded by hundreds of friends and family inside The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. An arena just a short drive away from his hometown.
Before and after the bout, McKee had pushed to move up in weight and face the former two-division champion for his lightweight title. However, three months after losing his 145-pound belt, “Pitbull” agreed to vacate his lightweight belt so that his brother Patricky Freire could compete for the strap instead.
The elder Freire brother went on to face Peter Queally in November at Bellator 270 and won the title in his third attempt at the Bellator lightweight championship. He had previously lost to Michael Chandler on two occasions, in 2011 and 2016, respectively.
A date and location for the event in April have not yet been announced for the organization.
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