Patricio Freire is back in a big way and wants to claim gold across multiple promotions after scoring another defense of his Bellator featherweight title.

In the co-feature at Bellator Champions Series: Belfast, Freire (36-7 MMA, 24-6 BMMA) shared the cage with title challenger Jeremy Kennedy (19-4 MMA, 4-2 BMMA). Although there was a slight scare for the champ, Fereire overcame the moment to finish Kennedy (19-4 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) in the same round. The stoppage came by strikes at 4:07 of Round 3.

The fight started slowly, and with five rounds to work, there wasn’t much need to rush.

Freire began working behind a steady, patient gameplan of intermittent leg kicks and counter strikes. Kennedy studied, and worked behind a left jab, but the strikes were few and far between in the opening round.

The slow pace rolled over into Round 2, however, causing a few boo birds to chirp throughout the crowd. Kennedy began to turn up the forward pressure, but soon found himself eating a big right hand from Freire. Swelling on Kennedy’s left leg became apparent, with Frerie continuing to land hard leg kicks.

In the third round, everything changed as both fighters had big moments.

Kennedy sat down on a punch, sending Freire to stumble backward. Kennedy rushed in to follow up, but Freire quickly gathered himself and kept his defense solid. However, a cut was opened on “Pitbull” from a nice elbow during the sequence.

After weathering the storm, Freire reset and began marching forward.

Just when Kennedy’s confidence was mounting, “Pitbull” clipped him with a clean punch, rocking the challenger. Freire noticed his opponent was hurt and quickly swarmed with strikes. Kennedy covered up against the cage, as Freire unloaded until the referee stopped the fight.

WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM THE BELLATOR GOAT!

Patricio Pitbull stops Jeremy Kennedy in the third! #BellatorBelfast | LIVE NOW
https://t.co/Dpuq4Xv6Jh pic.twitter.com/0ftme4h9sa

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) March 22, 2024

During his post-fight interview, Freire called for a title fight he missed out on against Jesus Pinedo at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, and even called for a cross-promotional UFC title fight. After shooting for the moon, he did offer one name in particular, Aaron Pico, who is likely the next man up in Bellator.

The result marked a return to the win column for Freire, who suffered back-to-back losses in a Bellator bantamweight title bid against Sergio Pettis and a short-notice appearance against Chihiro Suzuki at Bellator x Rizin 2.

In addition to being back in the winner’s circle, Freire adds to his all-time Bellator records for most wins (23), most finishes (14) and most title fight wins (13).

Up-to-the-minute BCS: Belfast results include:

• Patricio Freire def. Jeremy Kennedy via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:07
• Fabian Edwards def. Aaron Jeffery via unanimous decision (29-28,29-28, 29-28)
• Leandro Higo def. James Gallagher via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Manoel Sousa def. Tim Wilde via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:48
• Ciaran Clarke def. Darius Mafi submission (arm-triangle choke)
• Alfie Davis def. Oscar Ownsworth unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Luke Trainer def. Grant Neal unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Nathan Kelly def. Vikas Singh Ruhil knockout (elbow)
• Abraham Bably def. Isaiah Pinson unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: Belfast.