Jeremy Kennedy Unfazed by Quick Booking for Bellator 302 Clash with ‘Pitbull’

Having fought all around the globe, Jeremy Kennedy didn’t have to think twice before accepting a short-notice title shot against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.

Freire (35-7) was originally scheduled to defend his featherweight strap against Professional Fighters League 2023 champ Jesus Pinedo at the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card in Saudi Arabia last month. However, a week before the fight, Pinedo was replaced by PFL runner-up Gabriel Braga, who pulled out hours before the weigh-ins.

The promotion didn’t waste time in finding Pitbull an opponent for the co-main event at Bellator 302 on March 22 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Kennedy (19-3), who has been rallying for a tilt against Pitbull for a while now, accepted the bout offer at the drop of a hat.

“I mean I was following along obviously because I was planning on meeting Pitbull later on in the year, so I was following along with his opponents falling through and [Jesus] Pinedo and [Gabriel] Braga,” Kennedy said at the Bellator 302 pre-fight media call. “And I got a call late Thursday night so it would have been their weigh-ins, Friday, asking if I’m ready for five rounds instead and for Pitbull. And I said, of course, you know, don’t even ask me, just say yes, get it done.

“And I hung up the phone, went to bed, I woke up the next morning and it was a done deal. We were ready to go, we're going to fight for the title now.”

Having made his amateur debut in 2010, Kennedy has amassed a ton of experience fighting abroad. Hence, “notice is nothing” claims the Canadian standout, who sees himself following in the footsteps of Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald.

“Exactly. I mean, the notice is nothing. I was training for this fight for a long time now. He's been training for a fight. So it's like we've got full camps. I've spent my career fighting overseas, you know: Brazil, Australia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia. I've been everywhere; Ireland last year. So I've already been here. I understand what I have to do to get out there early and prepare what I need to bring. I'm used to fighting, you know, on the road, so it's no different. This is just another fight. It's just a bigger reward now, that big, shiny belt to come home with.”

Kennedy is riding a three-fight winning streak with a unanimous decision win over Pedro Carvalho in his latest outing in February 2023. Meanwhile, Pitbull hasn’t defended his featherweight strap since October 2022. He then beat the then Rizin Fighting Federation champion Kleber Koike in a non-title bout before a failed bantamweight title bid against Sergio Pettis followed by a knockout loss against Chihiro Suzuki in a lightweight meeting.