It was night of high stakes at Bellator Belfast as Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire steps into the cage to defend his featherweight title against the up-and-coming Jeremy Kennedy in the co-main event.
Regarded as the Bellator ‘GOAT’, Pitbull aims to cement his status as the division’s best despite enduring a recent rough patch with consecutive losses. After setbacks against Sergio Pettis and Chihiro Suzuki in different weight classes, Pitbull returns to his natural weight of 145lbs for his first title defense in nearly two years, looking to recapture the glory of his past victories.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, hailing from Canada, has been on a quest for championship gold since joining Bellator in 2020. With notable wins over Emanuel Sanchez, Aaron Pico, and Pedro Carvalho, Kennedy has proven himself as a formidable contender, eager to seize the opportunity against the reigning champion.
The SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland, sets the stage for this highly anticipated featherweight showdown.
Patricio Pitbull Pulls of Comeback Win to Retain Title Over Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator Belfast
As the bout unfolds, both fighters engage cautiously in the opening round, with Pitbull utilizing leg kicks to establish his rhythm. Kennedy responds with a jab but finds himself on the receiving end of Pitbull’s punishing leg strikes. Despite a brief halt due to an accidental headbutt, the action resumes with both fighters exchanging strikes on their feet.
In the subsequent rounds, Kennedy presses forward with a barrage of strikes, including a takedown against the cage. However, Pitbull showcases resilience, weathering Kennedy’s offensive onslaught and retaliating with his own powerful strikes. A vicious right hand from Pitbull visibly rocks Kennedy, who struggles to fend off the relentless assault.
Despite Kennedy’s efforts to mount a comeback, Pitbull’s relentless pressure proves too much to handle. With a flurry of punches and elbows, Pitbull overwhelms Kennedy, ultimately securing victory with a devastating knee strike.
In a dramatic conclusion, Pitbull reaffirms his dominance as the Bellator featherweight champion. He’s back!
