Patricio Freire Wants New UFC Deal After Choi Fight

Patricio Freire says his September fight with Doo Ho Choi is the last bout on his UFC contract, and he's already planning to sign a new one.

Freire (37-9) meets Choi (17-4) at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The former two-division Bellator champion confirmed the contract situation in an interview with Home of Fight, making clear he views a win over Choi as the springboard to a renewal rather than a farewell tour.

"I think this is the last one," Freire said. "I want to stay [in the UFC]. I'm going to win this fight and I'm going to renew the contract."

Why This Fight Matters for Freire's UFC Future

Patricio Freire is 1-2 since arriving in the UFC, a stretch that makes the Choi fight more than a routine outing. His promotional debut ended in a loss to Yair Rodriguez, before he bounced back with a decision win over Dan Ige. He then dropped a decision to Aaron Pico. At 39, with his contract expiring, a loss to Choi would leave the UFC little competitive reason to bring him back, while a win gives him the leverage he's counting on when he sits down to negotiate.

The Bigger Pattern for Former Bellator Stars

Freire's contract crunch fits a rough stretch for fighters who came over from Bellator. Patrick Mix has already been released by the promotion, Michael Page has yet to record a finish inside the Octagon, and Aaron Pico was knocked out in his own UFC debut. Freire's 1-2 mark since signing puts him in that same company, and it raises the stakes on Choi as a measuring stick for whether the promotion's newer imports from Bellator can hold their own at this level.

Betting Angle

Freire enters as the more decorated name and a former two-weight Bellator champion, but recent form works against him. Books tend to shade lines toward fighters with UFC-specific track records, and Choi's activity and finishing ability at featherweight give him a real path to being taken seriously by oddsmakers even against a bigger name. Bettors leaning toward Freire are essentially betting on pedigree and desperation, a veteran fighting for his job, against a UFC roster that has not been kind to him so far. Anyone backing him should treat this as a pick'em-or-worse proposition rather than a lock, given the 1-2 record he brings into the cage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Patricio Freire's fight with Doo Ho Choi his last on his UFC contract?

Yes, Patricio Freire has said his UFC 331 bout against Doo Ho Choi on Sept. 19 is the final fight on his current UFC contract.

What is Patricio Freire's UFC record so far?

Patricio Freire is 1-2 in the UFC, losing to Yair Rodriguez and Aaron Pico while beating Dan Ige by decision.

Does Patricio Freire want to stay in the UFC?

Yes, Patricio Freire has said he wants to re-sign with the UFC and expects a new contract if he beats Doo Ho Choi at UFC 331.