Dana White talks Patricio Pitbull Freire UFC debut at UFC 314

UFC CEO Dana White has welcomed Patricio "Pitbull" Freire to the promotion, acknowledging that the opportunity is now in the fighter’s hands to see how far he can go.

Freire (36-7 MMA, 0-0 UFC), a former multi-time Bellator featherweight champion, has long pursued a move to the UFC. At 37, that ambition has materialised after he negotiated his release from PFL.

Freire will debut against former interim champion Yair Rodriguez (15-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) at UFC 314 on April 12 in Miami.

Freire revealed that there had been some reluctance from a high-ranking UFC official regarding his signing. However, White stated that a personal phone call from the fighter changed everything.

“A phone call with him convinced us,” White said during the post-fight news conference at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle. “He’s going to get the opportunity now to challenge himself against the best in the world, and no matter where he’s at in his career, beating Yair is a big deal.”

Freire’s entry into the UFC coincides with a major shake-up in the featherweight division. On the same day his debut was announced, White confirmed that Ilia Topuria had vacated the 145-pound title and that Alexander Volkanovski would face Diego Lopes for the vacant championship in the UFC 314 main event.

White did not confirm whether Freire could serve as a backup fighter for the main event but acknowledged the potential significance of his UFC debut.

“If he comes and he beats Yair, I don’t know, we’ll see how this thing plays out,” White said. “But massive opportunity for him, and we’re excited to give him it.”