Patricky Freire booked to fight LFA champ Jaleel Willis in Bellator 249 co-headliner
Patricky Freire is back.
The former Bellator lightweight title challenger and brother of Bellator double champion Patricio, Freire (23-9 MMA, 14-7 BMMA) has been booked to return Oct. 15 at Bellator 249 against LFA welterweight champion Jaleel Willis, who is making his debut. The fight, which will be contested at lightweight, will serve as the card’s co-main event.
Multiple sources, including a promotion official, recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking.
Bellator 249 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Freire, 34, has won five consecutive fights under the Bellator banner and is 8-1 overall in his last nine. He most recently competed on New Year’s Eve in Saitama, Japan as part of RIZIN’s lightweight grand prix. After defeating Luiz Gustavo in the semifinals, Freire dropped a unanimous decision to Tofiq Musayev in the final.
Willis (13-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) fights out of Memphis. In 13 professional victories, Willis has finished five fights – all by TKO or knockout. His two losses have come to former LFA champ Harvey Park and former UFC welterweight Kyle Stewart.
With the addition, the Bellator 249 lineup includes:
- Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe – for Bellator women’s featherweight title
- Patricky Freire vs. Jaleel Willis