* **Q: What was the history between Patricio Pitbull and Michael Chandler?
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MMA / Fighters
One of modern MMA's most intense rivalries appears to have reached a peaceful conclusion. Patricio "Pitbull" Freire revealed that former adversary Michael Chandler approached him at a UFC 314 hotel to apologize for past disrespect, potentia...
## The Pitbull vs. Chandler Saga
The rivalry between Patricio Freire and Michael Chandler was a cornerstone of Bellator MMA for years. Their first encounter in May 2016 saw Chandler dethrone Pitbull to capture the lightweight title via knockout. The bad blood simmered until their rematch in May 2019, where Pitbull avenged his loss with a stunning first-round TKO to become a two-division champion (featherweight and lightweight).
Following the second fight, tensions remained high, fueled by interviews and social media exchanges. Chandler eventually moved to the UFC in 2020, seemingly putting a pause on the direct competition but not the underlying animosity.
## The Apology at UFC 314
According to Freire, the unexpected apology occurred at a hotel during the lead-up to UFC 314. Chandler approached him, acknowledged the past disrespect, and expressed a desire to clear the air. This gesture, as reported by Pitbull, suggests a significant shift from outright rivalry to potential professional respect.
While both fighters are now in the UFC (though Pitbull has also fought for PFL recently), they compete in different weight classes primarily (Chandler at lightweight, Pitbull mostly at featherweight). The apology likely closes the book on the personal feud, even if a trilogy fight remains a remote possibility fans might speculate about.
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This apology marks a surprising turn in a long and bitter rivalry. Do you believe the beef is truly squashed between Pitbull and Chandler? Has respect finally been earned?
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