Patricio Freire successfully defended his featherweight title on Saturday when he defeated Juan Archuleta at Bellator 228.
Not only did “Pitbull” (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA) keep his belt, but he advanced past the opening round of the 145-pound grand prix with a unanimous decision victory over Archuleta (23-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in the co-headliner at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Freire’s title defense against Archuleta at Bellator 228.
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The final featherweight grand prix opening round fight is next, and it's a big one as champ @PatricioPitbull puts his title on the line vs. Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma). #Bellator228 pic.twitter.com/Ra1A70cQuD
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) September 29, 2019
.@BellatorMMA Featherweight Title Closing Betting Odds:
Patricio Freire (-130) vs. Juan Archuleta (+110) #Belllator228 💵 Live Now -> @DAZN_USA @mauroranallo @JohnMcCarthyMMA @MMAOddsBreaker
— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) September 29, 2019
I'd like to invite the fans who are booing one minute in to go ahead and rush in on Patricio Pitbull and report back to us on how it goes.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) September 29, 2019
Interesting that TJ Dillashaw was in Juan Archuleta's corner in NY this past June, but isn't tonight despite being at the venue.
Odd that NYSAC would give him a seconds license despite being directly suspended by the commission. I'm unsure if he applied to corner Juan tonight.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) September 29, 2019
Archuleta looked borderline lost in some of those positions – positions where wrestling/re-wrestling was the likely answer. Troubling stuff for the challenger, while that has to be boosting to Pitbull’s confidence
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) September 29, 2019
10-9 Pitbull. Champ took advantage of Archuleta's wild punch to control the most of the round from top position. The Brazilian landed a few damaging shots in the final 10 seconds, finishing in mount.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) September 29, 2019
Archuleta nearing the foul hat trick. He's got the groin strike and eye poke. He just needs a fence grab or illegal strike. #Bellator228
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatum303) September 29, 2019
Pitbull is so small. It’s amazing how well he does.
— MaddDogg (@NateMillerMMA) September 29, 2019
2-0 Pitbull…Archuleta needs to pick up the pace. He will. Great movement and I know he has that great @treigning_lab conditioning. #Bellator228
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 29, 2019
Juan is wild and not technical at all
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) September 29, 2019
Pitbull drops Archuleta with a right hand then cuts him open with elbows. Archuleta is bleeding a pretty decent amount. #Bellator228
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) September 29, 2019
"We've got Archuleta leaking like a political document!"
Goddamn. We don't deserve you, @mauroranallo. #Bellator228
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) September 29, 2019
Archuleta dances, dances, shifts to enter, gets countered cleanly, repeat… #bellator228
— Zachary Makovsky (@ZachFunSize) September 29, 2019
Through three rounds, this title fight looking like a “levels to this game” scenario playing out. Pitbull is just one step and one move ahead of Archuleta always. #Bellator228
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 29, 2019
T.J. Dillashaw can’t corner Archuleta, but he’s yelling like crazy from just in front of press row this entire fight. #Bellator228
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 29, 2019
Another kick below he belt from Archuleta. Pitbull continues to fight well. He's seeing everything very well. Has a read on Archuleta's strikes, and is countering the challenger's wrestling at every turn.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) September 29, 2019
Can you hear TJ on TV? He is the loudest coach here. pic.twitter.com/tYlDrDQ7Aj
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) September 29, 2019
Patricio Pitbull amassando #bellatormma @BellatorMMA @PatricioPitbull
— Vitor Vianna (@VitorViannaMMA) September 29, 2019
Pitbull is running away with this
— Brent Brookhouse (@brentbrookhouse) September 29, 2019
Kudos to Pitbull….the guy brought it.
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I guess I’ll see you late 2020. #Bellator228— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 29, 2019
Won’t be for a while…he runs through this GP. RT @EchoHotel1009: Archuleta and Pitbull are on diff levels. He had no idea how to attack Pitbull. I wanna see the rematch with @MikeChandlerMMA
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 29, 2019
50-45!!!!! The GOAT @PatricioPitbull!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) September 29, 2019
The champion advances. #Bellator228 pic.twitter.com/s7WjrAGdu8
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 29, 2019
.@PatricioPitbull adds to his record for most wins in @BellatorMMA history with 18. #Bellator228
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) September 29, 2019
Darrion Caldwell talking trash to Pitbull right after the fight. #Bellator228 pic.twitter.com/wFlbcC8sf0
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 29, 2019
#Bellator228 results: Patricio Freire cruises past Juan Archuleta, retains featherweight title (via @davedoylemma) https://t.co/OhDi9JSoKy
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) September 29, 2019
