Patricky Freire Not Medically Cleared, Pulled From Bellator 249 Fight With Jaleel Willis Hours Prior

MMA

The Bellator 249 co-main event was canceled just hours before the combatants were set to take the cage.

Patricky Pitbull and Jaleel Willis were planned to support the Cris Cyborg-led Bellator 249 show on Thursday night. Nolan King of MMA Junkie has reported that Freire was not medically cleared by the Moehgan Sun for an undisclosed issue and was removed from the card. Bellator quickly confirmed the news and adjusted the card.

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It was also noted that both fighters would be compensated for the fight, despite not being able to compete. Freire was supposed to fight Peter Queally earlier this month, as well, but the Bellator Dublin show that it was planned for was canceled. Freire is facing an unprecedented 22 month layoff from Bellator, as he's been competing in Rizin over the last year. For eight years prior, Patricky and his brother Patricio were perennial main eventers for the Bellator brand.

Jaleel Willis was set to make his Bellator return after a one-off fight in 2016 that saw him defeat Omar Johnson. 

You can find results for tonight's Bellator 249 show at this link.

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