The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Sports›Mixed Martial Arts›Patricio Pitbull
Sports • Mixed Martial Arts

Patricio Pitbull

Patrício André de Sousa Freire, known as Patricio Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Patrício André de Sousa Freire, known as Patricio Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division. He is a former Bellator MMA two-division champion and later joined the UFC, continuing his career at featherweight.

Early life and background

Patrício Freire was born in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, on 7 July 1987. He fights under the nickname Patricio Pitbull and is associated with the Pitbull Brothers team.

Mixed martial arts career

Freire began his professional MMA career in 2004 and became one of Bellator MMA's most accomplished fighters. Sources describe him as a three-time Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Bellator Lightweight Champion, making him one of the promotion's leading titleholders.

UFC career

After his Bellator run, Freire moved to the UFC and continued competing at featherweight. UFC and other sports records pages list him as an active UFC athlete with a professional record of 37-9.

Fighting style and record

Available fighter profiles list him as an orthodox stance featherweight with a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. UFC statistics pages note significant finishing ability, including knockouts and submissions.

Key facts

  • Brazilian professional mixed martial artist.
  • Former Bellator Featherweight Champion.
  • Former Bellator Lightweight Champion.
  • Won titles in two Bellator weight classes.
  • Competes in the UFC featherweight division.
🍁
Canadian context

Patricio Pitbull has been relevant to Canadian MMA audiences through Bellator and UFC coverage, including bouts against international opposition and interest from Canadian combat sports fans.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Patricio Pitbull?
Patricio Pitbull is the professional name of Brazilian mixed martial artist Patrício Freire, a featherweight competitor in the UFC and former Bellator champion.
What is Patricio Pitbull's real name?
His full name is Patrício André de Sousa Freire.
What weight class does he fight in?
He competes in the featherweight division.
Which promotions has he fought for?
He is best known for Bellator MMA and later the UFC.
Does he have championships?
Yes. He was a former Bellator Featherweight Champion and former Bellator Lightweight Champion.
Is he related to another fighter?
Yes. He is the younger brother of Patricky Pitbull.

References

  1. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/patricio-pitbull-freire
    Supports: Current UFC athlete profile; pro since 2004; finishing stats; notable UFC opponents.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patr%C3%ADcio_Pitbull
    Supports: Full name, birth date, nationality, Bellator title history, UFC affiliation, and sibling relation.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2532870/patricio-pitbull
    Supports: Division, birth date, nationality, height/weight, stance, and team.
  4. UFC Stats — http://www.ufcstats.com/fighter-details/98a58c26c5b1ed17
    Supports: Record, height, reach, stance, date of birth, and striking statistics.
  5. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/patricio-freire-pitbull
    Supports: Birthplace, team, debut age, and background details.