LOS ANGELES – Patricio Freire doesn’t take lightly to PED accusations, nor trash talk involving family. So when both were hurled his way by the McKees at the Bellator 263 pre-fight news conference Thursday, he exploded.
Restrained by Bellator president Scott Coker and promotion staffers, “Pitbull” and A.J. McKee ended the press conference in a flurry of toppled furniture, spilled drinks, and expletives.
The first move physically was made by Freire (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) who took exception to PED accusations made by McKee’s father and head coach, Antonio.
“Things went south when he started to talk sh*t about respect,” Freire told MMA Junkie shortly after the scuffle. “Everyone knows his father was saying to the media that I was on drugs. After that, he said something about (how he) would beat me in front of my family. I will make him show some respect for them. The last one who talked sh*t like this, I kicked his ass in less than a minute. Now, he deserves the same thing.”
If anyone should be accused of performance-enhancing drugs, it should be Antonio McKee, according to the standing Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion.
“I don’t know, he has 60 (years),” Freire said. “He is stronger than me, so he’s on drugs, too? Maybe? I don’t know what he wants. I’m 34. F*ck, man. I’m not 60 or 40. I’m a competitor and still a little bit fat. F*ck, man. He’s afraid of what will happen.”
What bothered Friere more than anything, and what he attributes to his aggressive behavior on stage, was the comment by McKee (17-0 MMA, 17-0 BMMA) that he would beat the Brazilian in front of his wife and kids. While he sees Antonio as fair game because he’s A.J.’s coach, Freire thinks family is otherwise out of bounds.
When it comes time for the talk to finally end and fists start flying in the cage Saturday at Bellator 263, “Pitbull” had a short-and-sweet prediction for the undefeated title challenger.
“I’m going to kick his ass up,” Freire said.
Bellator 263 takes place Saturday at The Forum. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
