Fansided

Patricio Freire versus Daniel Weichel set for Bellator 203

By Raphael Garcia

UNCASVILLE, CT - APRIL 21: Patricio Freire (blue gloves) takes on the Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus (red gloves) for the Featherweight title on April 21, 2017 at Bellator 178 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Patricio Freire defeats Daniel Straus via guillotine choke of round 2. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - APRIL 21: Patricio Freire (blue gloves) takes on the Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus (red gloves) for the Featherweight title on April 21, 2017 at Bellator 178 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Patricio Freire defeats Daniel Straus via guillotine choke of round 2. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Patricio Freire is headed to Rome to defend his title against Daniel Weichel.

The Bellator featherweight division has become the realm of the rematch as Bellator 203 features a fight we’ve seen before. Featherweight champion Patricio Freire is set to defend his title against Daniel Weichel in a rematch from Bellator 138 in 2015.

A little more than three years ago, “Pitbull” was able to defend the 145-pound title when he stopped Weichel in the second round of their fight, securing the title with a knockout punch.

Freire has been one of the most dominant members of the Bellator roster and within the entire featherweight division in mixed martial arts. At 26-4, his record includes a number of big name competitors such as Pat Curran, Diego Nunes, Wilson Reis, Justin Wilcox and three victories over Daniel Straus. His last loss was very controversial as he was soundly in control of Benson Henderson at Bellator 160 before he was forced out of the fight due to a leg injury.

Weichel has been building a solid run since his last defeat, which came to Freire. Since that loss, he’s defeated four men: Georgi Karakhanyan, Emmanuel Sanchez, Brian Moore and John Teixeira da Conceicao. Weichel has put together an 8-1 record in Bellator since joining the promotion in 2014. The 16-year MMA veteran has faced some big names in the sport such as Dennis Siver, Paul Daley, Dan Hardy and others. Weichel will bring a 39-9 professional record into this fight.

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Bellator 203 is scheduled to go down on July 14 from the IL Centrale Live in Rome, Italy. Hometown fighter Alessio Sakara is booked to fight Jamie Sloane. To date, these are the only two fights scheduled, with more to be announced in the coming weeks and months. Freire versus Weichel is currently listed as the main event of the card.

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