Patricky Freire has spent the majority of his professional MMA career in Bellator MMA and he has previously challenged for the Bellator MMA Lightweight Title on two occasions.
Freire will be taking on former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson this weekend at Bellator 172, a fight that Freire begged for since Thomson first got signed.
?As soon as I heard (Thomson) was hired, I think I was the first guy to email Bellator asking to fight him,? Freire told MMA Junkie. ?So, when they offered it to me, I didn?t even think twice. I was already training, staying in shape, and he?s a guy who needs no introduction. He?s a top fighter in the lightweight class. Some people say he?s coming off three losses in the UFC. Yes, but of those three fights, the only one I consider a loss was the last one, to Tony Ferguson. He?s a guy who has a big name, and a lot of respect and admiration from a lot of people. So it?s a great opportunity for me. I consider it the biggest fight in my career. Even the champion (Michael Chandler) is asking to fight him, and I?m the one who got this opportunity.?
Thomson is current undefeated under the Bellator MMA banner, which includes a win over Bellator MMA Fight Master finalist Mike Bronzoulis.
Freire has a plan when he enters the octagon on Saturday Night, which is to virtually destroy his opponent.
?The dangers I bring to him he knows and everyone knows,? Freire said. ?It?s my hands. He knows I have a lot of knockout power and if my hand lands, he?ll go down. I respect him, and will keep doing so, but a fight is a fight. It?s my job. I?ll want to rip his head off. That?s what I want, and he knows it. He knows I want to put my hands on his face. He knows I want to knock him out.?
Bellator 172 takes place on Saturday, July 18 from the SAP Center in San Jose, California with Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Mitrione headlining.