UFC legend argues Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire’s ‘legacy’ is at stake in UFC 327 return

Former Bellator two-division champion Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire’s career could have an asterisk after UFC 327, according to a UFC legend.

One of the most underrated fights at UFC 327 consists of two of the greatest fighters in the now-defunct Bellator’s illustrious history. UFC featherweights Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire and Aaron Pico will square off in a pivotal undercard bout with massive implications for both athletes.

After an up-and-down start to his UFC tenure, Freire has fallen well short of expectations since he signed with the promotion last year. A former two-division Bellator champion, Freire is 1-1 in the UFC, with a loss to former title challenger Yair Rodriguez and a unanimous decision victory against Dan Ige.

Meanwhile, Pico is still looking to earn his first UFC victory after a disastrous debut ended in a brutal knockout loss to Lerone Murphy at UFC 319.

There’s a lot on the line between Freire and Pico as the two former Bellator standouts prepare to face off in a fight years in the making. But one UFC legend believes Freire’s all-time great case is on the line this weekend.

Rashad Evans: Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire’s legacy ‘hangs in the balance’ at UFC 327

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans weighed in on what’s at stake in Freire vs. Pico.

“I would say ‘Pitbull’ (needs the win more), and I would say so because he reached higher heights than Pico has ever reached outside the UFC,” Evans said of Freire.

“He’s coming in there with that legendary career already in another organization. You’ve got to come somewhat to fulfill high-level competitiveness to really validate what his legend is. The story of him would be, ‘Yeah, ‘Pitbull’ was good, but that was like in Bellator.’ That would really cast not the best light on him.

“With Pico, Pico’s always one of those fighters who has so much potential and more or less waited to realize that potential and has had moments,” Evans continued on Freire. “There’s times where Pico has looked absolutely amazing, like a world beater and then something will happen where you get caught or something like that and it’s like, ‘Dang.’ So I think it’s bigger for ‘Pitbull,’ because I feel like his legacy hangs in the balance of being that top competitor in the UFC.”

What is your prediction for Patricio Pitbull vs. Aaron Pico? Let us know in the comments!