Pitbull Credits 11-Year Reunion For UFC 331 Finish

Patricio Freire reconnected with a longtime boxing coach after 11 years apart, then stopped Doo Ho Choi in the first round at UFC 331.

The former Bellator champion credited the reunion with Edelson Silva as the key factor in his return to form, per Sherdog. Silva worked Freire's corner from 2000 to 2015 before the two split, during which time Silva cornered Anderson Silva for 10 training camps. The pair recently reconciled and teamed up again for the Choi fight, which Freire won by TKO in his final contracted bout with the UFC.

What Freire Said About Finding Himself Again

Speaking to UFC Brazil's Evelyn Rodrigues after the finish, Freire said the coaching change allowed him to let loose. "I wasn't letting myself go in the previous fights, but thank God I was able to find myself again in this one," he said, according to the report. "Edelson worked with me from 2000 to 2015. Unfortunately, we drifted apart for 11 years, when he worked on 10 of Anderson Silva's camps. But we were able to work things out and make peace."

UFC president Dana White praised the performance at the post-fight press conference but stayed quiet on whether the promotion would offer Freire a new deal. Neither side has publicly discussed contract renewal.

Freire's deal expired with the Choi stoppage, leaving his UFC future in limbo as he heads into free agency.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Patricio ‘Pitbull’ made peace after 11 years, then delivered a UFC TKO