Patricio Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez have a date for their championship rematch.
The two featherweights are set to clash April 2 in the main event of Bellator 255 in Uncasville, Conn., the promotion announced Tuesday. The title bout is part of the Bellator featherweight grand prix semifinals. It’s a rematch from 2018 when Freire (31-4 MMA, 19-4 BMMA) out-pointed Sanchez (20-4 MMA, 12-3 BMMA) at Bellator 209 in Israel.
Freire is coming off a first-round knockout of Pedro Carvalho last November at Bellator 252. Freire, who holds both the lightweight and featherweight titles, is currently on a six-fight winning streak. Freire also has defeated Juan Archuleta in his run in the gran prix.
Meanwhile, Sanchez defeated Daniel Weichel at Bellator 252 in November to advance to the semis. Sanchez is on a three-fight wining streak since losing to Freire. The 30-year-old Sanchez has bested Tywan Claxton, as well, in his grand prix run.
The winner of Freire vs. Sanchez 2 will meet A.J. McKee in the final. McKee recently submitted former Bellator champ Darrion Caldwell to advance to the final.
