Patricio Freire needs a new opponent for his return at Bellator 153, as countrymen John Teixeira was forced out of the April 22 bout with a rib injury. Bellator officials confirmed the news to MMAFighting.com following a report by The MMA Report.
Freire (24-3) will return to action since losing the Bellator featherweight crown to Daniel Straus in November. Prior to the loss, "Pitbull" was riding a seven-fight winning streak with five finishes, including wins over Pat Curran, Daniel Weichel and Straus.
Freire-Teixeira was set as the co-main event of Bellator 153 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. In the main event, former UFC and WEC champion Ben Henderson makes his Bellator debut against welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov.
Speaking with MMAFighting.com, Freire said he doesn’t believe Teixeira is really hurt.
"I know he’s a tough fighter and won’t run away from a fight, but there are a lot of fighters pulling out of fights recently and I don’t know the reason why, if it’s because of injuries or if the fight is too tough," Freire said. "But I have my doubts if he’s really hurt. I’m that type of guy that needs to see to believe. Last night he posted a picture of him training and this morning I get a text saying that he was out with a rib injury."
"Pitbull" is waiting for a new opponent for Bellator 153, and is open to fighting at 155 pounds.
"Bellator told me they are looking for a new opponent," he said. "I know it’s hard to find someone on two weeks’ notice, especially because of the weight, so I’m open to a fight at catchweight or even at lightweight."
"I think a fight with Will Brooks would be nice," he continued. "He doesn’t have a fight, is asking for one, and I would fight him. I would love to slap him."
Brooks is the current Bellator lightweight champion, and hasn’t fought since a decision win over Marcin Held in November.
"He’s a tough guy, but his style is boring," Freire said of Brooks. "I’m the worst fight possible for him. I’m faster, I move better. He wouldn’t be able to take me down and I would beat him up a lot. He’d get hurt a lot in this fight."