I Bellatormästarens Patricio Freires (22-2) ögon är det inga tvekan om att han är den näst bästa fjäderviktaren, endast efter Jose Aldo (25-1).
Freire vet att Jose Aldo är över honom i det rankingsystemet som finns just nu, men han säger att hans fightingresumé talar för sig självt.
”Considering that I have 11 years of career and only two split decision losses to former FW champions, Pat Curran and Joe Warren. Warren is the bantamweight champion, was the FW champion and also was a wrestling world champion. Considering my numbers, achievements and results, I put myself behind only of Jose Aldo, for now, because he has already seven title defenses. By now, he’s the number one and I’m the number two. If any person shows me a 145-pounder that did more than me, I change my position at this ranking, but I can’t see that happening.”
Freire vill också hämnas sin förlust mot Warren och hålla i två bälten samtidigt.
”I know that I just won the title but our career is short and you have to take everything possible. I want to break all divisional records, defend my belt as many times as is possible and I would like to unify my belt with the BW’s. I plan to fight at 135-pound division without losing my title and face Warren to clean up that SD loss of my record. I want to have two titles at the same time.”
Vad gäller Straus, så vill Freire ge honom en riktig beating efter vad han har hört i nyligen gjorda intervjuer.
”He said some things that bothered and motivated me, so I’ll hit this guy a lot. This is great because it’s going to be me who will dictate the violence rhythm. He’s coming aggressive, but with the Pitbull this is a bad idea. Telling that he’ll be aggressive and violent is a joke. No opponent can be more violent than me, even if I’m hurt. No-one.”
Freire och Straus har redan mött varandra en gång tidigare på finalen av Bellator säsong 4 fjäderviktsturnering, som ägde rum maj 2011 på Bellator 45. ’Pitbull’ vann ett enhälligt domslut, blir det vinst för Freire denna gång med?