Patricio Pitbull Earns First UFC Victory, Tops Dan Ige in Featherweight War

By Ali Hammad July 22, 2025 11:54

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire marked a decisive milestone at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025, by earning his first victory inside the Octagon, topping Dan Ige in a hard-fought featherweight clash that showcased both fighters’ grit and skill. The 38-year-old MMA legend, widely recognized as the greatest from Bellator’s history, demonstrated resilience and technical prowess to secure a unanimous decision win, emphatically stamping his arrival in the UFC featherweight division.

Coming off a challenging UFC debut earlier this year, where Pitbull lost a competitive decision to Yair Rodriguez, the Brazilian veteran showed notable improvement against Ige. The fight unfolded as a tactical war, with Pitbull leveraging his depth of experience and well-rounded skill set against the younger, dynamic American striker. All three judges scored the bout in Pitbull’s favor, reflecting his control through effective striking, grappling, and octagon control over the three-round contest.

Pitbull admitted post-fight that adapting to the three-round UFC format posed an initial challenge. “It is still difficult,” he told UFC.com, referencing how, throughout his Bellator career, he was accustomed to championship five-round fights. Yet his ability to adjust quickly proved crucial in navigating the pace and intensity set by Ige, who himself came in ranked #11 in the featherweight division and was eager to add Pitbull’s name to his win column.

“This victory means everything to me,” Pitbull said after the fight. “I knew Dan Ige was a very dangerous opponent. I was a little bit afraid, but once the fight started, the plan was clear fight hard and find openings. I feel more comfortable now, and I’m ready for what’s next.”

The win not only erased the setback from his UFC debut but also ignited Pitbull’s ambition for future matchups within a division teeming with talent. Among the names he called out was fellow Bellator alum Aaron Pico, who recently joined the UFC but has yet to make his official debut due to opponent withdrawals. Pitbull expressed eagerness to face Pico next, saying, “If he’s ready, I’m ready. He can make his UFC debut against me.” This potential bout carries added intrigue given their shared history and contrasting styles Pitbull’s seasoned striking and grappling against Pico’s explosive wrestling and boxing background.

Pitbull’s UFC journey has been met with both high expectations and undeniable hurdles. Transitioning from Bellator, where he was a dominant two-division champion with 43 professional fights, to the top level of UFC competition is no small feat at age 38. While the pace and fight structure differ, his longevity and cage IQ have been assets that keep him competitive in an elite field.

Dan Ige, for his part, remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging Pitbull’s skill: “Patricio is a legend, and tonight he showed why. He’s tough, smart, and experienced. I have nothing but respect.”

As the featherweight division continues to evolve, Pitbull’s win signals he is far from done chasing UFC glory. With momentum on his side and willingness to engage promising rivals, he’s positioning himself as a new and very dangerous contender. Whether it’s a showdown with Aaron Pico or a future bout against the reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski, Pitbull’s first UFC victory is a compelling statement that one of MMA’s all-time greats still has plenty left to offer.