Bellator featherweight grand prix quarterfinalist Pedro Carvalho is scheduled to face Patricio “Pitbull” Freire at Bellator 241 this weekend.
Going into the main event at Bellator 241, Carvalho is full of confidence. The SBG Ireland fighter plans to finish Patricio “Pitbull” Freire in the quarterfinals of the Bellator featherweight grand prix.
Carvalho (11-3) believes that he is destined to get a win over Freire, who is the 2nd-ever fighter in Bellator MMA history to hold 2 Bellator titles simultaneously. He recently talked to BJPENN.com, discussing his upcoming bout:
“I just felt that it was meant to be. That happened because me being a world champion is meant to be,” Carvalho said. “I knew that he would pick February or March and when it was my time to pick I had January or March so I went in March. Just happy that I know the day I become a world champion.”
Going into the bout, pundits have Freire as a massive betting favorite to win against Carvalho. The SBG Ireland fighter is not phased by being the underdog and is using it for extra motivation to shock the world:
“All that just gives me extra fun, just seeing everyone planning Patricio vs. McKee or Patricio vs. Caldwell. That has been the reflection of my whole career everyone looks over me. Fight after fight people underestimate me,” Carvalho explained. “This one is not any different. People think this is a done deal Patricio wins. This just gives me extra fun as when I go out there and beat Patricio it will give me great pleasure to look around and see all the shocked faces.”
Carvalho has never been beaten inside the Bellator cage, but this will be his 1st time in a 5-round fight. Regardless, the Portugal native believes that he is the one with a cardio advantage and plans to push the pace against Freire:
“He is the one who has to worry about my pace. He knows my condition. I work way better in five rounds than in three rounds. Fighting in five rounds is an advantage for me,” he said. “I have a good ratio of finishes because people can’t keep up with my pace. That is what is going to happen for five rounds. That is the difference-maker in this fight is my pace, pressure, and conditioning.”
He remains confident that he will stop the Brazilian fighter inside 3 rounds:
“I’m looking for the head of Patricio Pitbull. I’m going to finish him. Submission or knockout, I don’t care,” Carvalho said. “Just go out there and perform and when I find the breaking point I will finish him. He won’t last three rounds.”
Carvalho also revealed that he is excited to bring another belt back to his gym at SBG Ireland. This would be the first Bellator MMA title for the gym, as well as the first title since Conor McGregor last won the UFC lightweight belt:
“This will happen, March 13, SBG Ireland will have a third major world title and first Bellator title. That’s it. I don’t need to say anything else, this will happen,” Carvalho concluded.
During a recent media event for Bellator MMA, SBG Ireland fighters, including Pedro Carvalho were forced to be separated from the “Pitbull” brothers by security.
Patricio Freire (30-4) is widely regarded as the best featherweight fighter in the world outside of the UFC. He recently made headlines by declaring his intentions of becoming the greatest featherweight fighter in MMA history by winning the Bellator featherweight grand prix.
This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 12th March, 2020.
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