A Case for Cooperation

Even with little left to prove at this stage of his remarkable career, current Bellator MMA featherweight champion Patricio Freire still finds ways to keep himself motivated.

“Pitbull” will face reigning Rizin Fighting Federation champion Kleber Koike Erbst when the companies they represent link arms to co-promote Rizin 40 on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Only bragging rights and company pride are on the line in the co-main event.

“The belts are not at stake,” Freire told Sherdog.com. “This is organization versus organization and champion versus champion.”

Erbst, 33, marches into the three-round confrontation at 145 pounds on the strength of a seven-fight winning streak. The Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu representative last competed at Rizin 39, where he dispatched Juntaro Ushiku with a triangle choke in the second round of their Oct. 23 pairing. Erbst prefers to do his business on the canvas.

“Kleber is a tough and experienced fighter,” Freire said. “He has 27 wins by submission. He’s dangerous. I have to remain keenly aware of his attacks on the ground.”

The 35-year-old Freire has rattled off back-to-back victories. He reclaimed his featherweight crown with a five-round unanimous decision over A.J. McKee in their April 15 rematch at Bellator 277, then retained it with by outpointing Adam Borics to a unanimous verdict across five rounds in their Bellator 286 headliner on Oct. 1.

“I had dominant performances, but I always think I could have done something more,” Freire said. “In terms of preference, I’d rather win by knockout or submission.”

Freire has never before fought in Japan, his assignments to this point having been confined to his native Brazil, the United States, Israel and Italy. He spent his training camp in friendly confines surrounded by familiar faces, including older brother and former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Freire.

“The preparation for the fight was great,” he said. “I always do my camps in Brazil with my team: Pitbull Brothers. I arrived in Japan on Dec. 19 to adapt to the time zone and took the opportunity to train at [Norifumi] ‘Kid’ Yamamoto’s Killer Bees academy.”

Though nothing tangible will be at stake when Freire confronts Erbst on New Year’s Eve, he would like to see the event foster more cooperation between MMA organizations in the future.

“We’re here to prove who is better between us two,” Freire said. “We’re hoping this opens doors to similar challenges against other champions in other organizations.”