Bellator 297: Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Freire Betting Analysis
In arguably the biggest Bellator event of 2023, the bantamweight world champion Sergio Pettis is making his return from an injury to defend his belt against Bellator living-legend Patricio Freire. Or “Pitbull,” who is trying to be the first 3-division champion in MMA history.
Read further for all the MMA news surrounding this event. Along with an official Pettis vs Freire betting analysis and prediction ahead of making your picks.
Sergio Pettis vs Patricio Freire
Location of the fight: Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL.
Date and Time: Friday, June 16. 9 PM ET.
How to Watch: Showtime
Pettis is coming off a long layoff after winning the world title against Kyoji Horiguchi in December of 2021, via spinning-back fist KO.
Freire represented Bellator in his last bout against Kleber Koike Erbst in the Bellator vs Rizin event on New Year’s Eve; winning a dominant unanimous decision.
Pettis has had quite the career for only being 29 years of age. He started his professional career almost 12 years ago and has been fighting the best ever since. After a long stint in the UFC, Pettis decided to take his talents to Bellator and compete for a world title. Now he is 4-0 in the promotion and is the bantamweight king.
He is currently 22-5 with 4 TKO/KO and 4 submission wins. Pettis is a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and has a black belt in BJJ as well under Daniel Wanderley. After building a great team in Milwaukee with his older brother Anthony, it seems like he has unlocked his true potential while just starting his athletic prime.
There’s not much you can say about Patricio Pitbull. Much like his opponent this weekend, he has found a way to pave his own path in MMA outside of the shadow of a legendary older brother. Freire is chasing MMA history this weekend.
Freire trains with the Pitbull Brothers fight team with some of the best talent in Brazil. He also is the current Bellator featherweight world champion. Chasing to be a double-champ once again and win a title in his third division. His resume is too long to put on here, but he is 35-5 with 23 finishes, has 7 title defenses, four separate championship reigns, most wins in Bellator history (21), 14 title fights, and many more accomplishments.
No injuries have been reported to the Bellator MMA, according to MMA news.
After the Pettis vs Freire betting analysis, let’s break down the betting lines available for this historic fight. If you want to bet on MMA, you need to take your time and do the research needed to be successful.
The betting favorite in this matchup is Patricio Freire. Pitbull is the -200 betting favorite over the +170 Sergio Pettis. Pettis has plenty of experience as the underdog, so nothing will change for him internally.
This early in fight week, the only prop bet available is the over/under set at 4.5 rounds. The under has +165 odds. This fight has a lot of interesting parts outside of the betting lines.
Something you should remember is this is the first fight at bantamweight for Pitbull Freire. Will the weight cut be an issue? His body frame is able to get down to 135, but he has a lot of muscle. Another question about the weight cut is how his chin will hold up after cutting more weight than he is used to.
After breaking down all the MMA stats and the betting lines, this fight continues to prove why it’s one of the biggest fights in Bellator history. And should honestly be the headliner to this historic event in Chicago this week.
- The official Pettis vs Freire betting prediction is that Freire is going to get his hand raised.
It’s too difficult to justify betting against Patricio Pitbull in this one. Pettis is the younger fighter, but he is also coming off a big injury and almost two years off.
You have to trust that Freire has cut his weight the right way and will be strong and durable in the cage. He will probably be the physically bigger and stronger man in the cage and can use that as an advantage. If he makes this fight physical and mixes in wrestling with his big power shots, he will have what it takes to take out Sergio Pettis.
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