Twitter reacts to Patricio Freire’s upset of A.J. McKee in Bellator 277 title rematch
Patricio Freire recaptured the featherweight title from A.J. McKee on Friday in the Bellator 277 main event.
After suffering a quick loss in their initial meeting in July, Freire (33-5 MMA, 21-5 BMMA) came back strong in the rematch and put on a competitive performance for the unanimous-decision win over McKee (18-1 MMA, 18-1 UFC) at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
The scorecards for the fight varied, and McKee was shocked by the outcome. What did the rest of the MMA community think? Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Freire’s upset of McKee at Bellator 277.
MMA Junkie
The rematch is moments away! @AJMcKee101 and Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) are about to run it back for 145-pound gold at #Bellator277.
Full results: https://t.co/O1RqSXlxLQ pic.twitter.com/a1VbkmLdVl
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 16, 2022
Bellator
🐕 @PatricioPitbull is on the hunt for redemption NEXT at #Bellator277.
He looks to reclaim his belt when he takes on the champ, @AJMcKee101, LIVE on @SHOSports!
👉 https://t.co/RNtauZGbbQ pic.twitter.com/Ftqjlsq8Ev— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Bellator
.@AJMcKee101 is in the building!
He goes to war with @PatricioPitbull LIVE in just a few moments on @SHOSports!
👉 https://t.co/RNtauZGbbQ#Bellator277 pic.twitter.com/JowvJeaQy4— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
MMA Junkie
One of the fastest-rising stars in MMA, @ajmckee101 brought his bag with him. 💸 💰#Bellator277 results: https://t.co/6nX338T9Ox pic.twitter.com/pRuYh6N58b
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 16, 2022
Eddie Alvarez
Aj wins here I think he’s one of the best in world today
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 16, 2022
Jed I Goodman
Here. We. Go.#Bellator277 #Bellator pic.twitter.com/D7iFZf5hQY
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) April 16, 2022
Michael Chiesa
It’s insane to see the range AJ McKee can fight at and still land strikes.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) April 16, 2022
Alan Jouban
McKee’s speed is like a video game!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) April 16, 2022
Dave Meltzer
McKee did little in the first round. Pitbull landed some low kicks and a few punches. Some fans booing the lack of action. 10-9 Pitbull.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 16, 2022
Luke Thomas
Very disciplined first round from the former champ. With enough hard leg kicks inside and out (maybe a blitz or two), I think Pitbull takes the first.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) April 16, 2022
Bellator MMA
Round 1 is in the books! This one is TENSE 👀#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/9IA5ELWUxR
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Cageside Press
R2 – Pitbull continues to use feints. High kick blocked, then leg kick. Body kick AJ. Overhand left for AJ, HE SHOOTS! Stuffed! Leg kick Pitbull. Another. Pitbull body kick. Leg kick. AJ returns fire. Eats a jab then his kick gets caught and he's shoved back. #Bellator277
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) April 16, 2022
Bellator
You could cut the tension with a knife at the @SAPCenter.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/xFTk2l4w0g
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Aaron Bonsteter
I have it 20-18 Pitbull after two, but this is a very competitive fight.
I think the 2nd round was much clearer for Pitbull where the 1st was much closer and could be scored either way.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 16, 2022
Nolan King
A less-close round than the first, but this fight is highly competitive. 20-18 Pitbull #Bellator277
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 16, 2022
Brett Okamoto
2-0 Pitbull. Feel like AJ needs to get busier and a little meaner. Pretty technical striking match so far, and Pitbull is a step ahead.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 16, 2022
Showtime
If you're not watching #McKeePitbull what are you doing?!
👉 @Showtime 👈#Bellator277 @BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/38cuPOcGrV
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) April 16, 2022
Bellator
WOW! @PatricioPitbull tags @AJMcKee101, but then the champ gets the takedown.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/UkQachFXkL
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Bellator
AMAZING SEQUENCE! 🤯@AJMcKee101 escapes the guillotine.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports. pic.twitter.com/wxLWJzxwCZ
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Michael Chiesa
Tricky 3rd round to score
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) April 16, 2022
Julian Marquez
What’s the score? 2-1 pitbull? #Bellator277
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) April 16, 2022
Caposa
Patricio hurt McKee on the feet and had a very close guillotine attempt. Feel like I gotta give him that round despite McKees moments of GNP. Do I expect the judges to give it to Patricio though, not really.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 16, 2022
Bellator
Some nice strikes from @AJMcKee101. Is he doing enough to retain his title?#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports 👇 pic.twitter.com/o2QCtCaozj
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Alex Behunin
AJ’s dad told him he’s up 4-0.
What a disservice to AJ#Bellator277
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) April 16, 2022
Cageside Press
R5 – This is it! One more to decide it! Glove touch and we're off! Side kick AJ. AJ shoots!!! Nope, but he puts Pitbull on the fence! Looking for the single! Nope its a double but he gets it! AJ trying to get to the back! Pitbull posting and fighting to get back up! #Bellator277
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) April 16, 2022
Aaron Bronsteter
This is such a difficult fight to score.
I have it 48-47 Pitbull, but outside of the 2nd round, every round was very close.
I don't envy the judges here.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 16, 2022
Brian Campbell
They go the distance. Loved this fight. Great adjustments from both. I have no idea which way the judges will lean here. #Bellator277
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) April 16, 2022
Shaheen Al-Shatti
Much, *much* more competitive than the first fight. This is either 48-47 Pitbull or 48-47 McKee. How y'all have it? #Bellator277
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) April 16, 2022
Boston Salmon
Close fight. Pitbull got tired in 5th. I have it a draw.
— Boston Salmon (@bostonboomboom) April 16, 2022
Bellator
#AndNew | The king of the featherweights rises again! 👑@PatricioPitbull rose again tonight at #Bellator277 and is once again your #Bellator featherweight champ. pic.twitter.com/Q3CEgqzJry
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
MMA Junkie
#Bellator277 results: Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) def. A.J. McKee via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to win featherweight title
Full results: https://t.co/O1RqSXlxLQ pic.twitter.com/z9DE9WPkaB
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 16, 2022
Bellator
👑 The King of rematches is once again the King of the Featherweights.#AndNew World Champion, @PatricioPitbull – winning by Unanimous Decision.#Bellator277 is LIVE on @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/FoxBMVceOk
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
Chael Sonnen
I either hate the hat or I love it. Undecided.
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) April 16, 2022
Ben Rothwell
Now , I wanna know how that “1million a fight and going to UFC” negotiations are going to go? I’m not hating , just stating. “Don’t shit where you sleep.”
sorry/not sorry— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) April 16, 2022
Mike Bohn
A.J. McKee in shock at the decision loss to Patricio Pitbull. His perfect run in MMA comes to an end. #Bellator277 pic.twitter.com/0VAMHHRvlJ
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) April 16, 2022
MMA Junkie
"I took the man down two rounds, dominated him, beat him the f*ck up and I lose? I'm going to try to contest that."
A.J. McKee was puzzled in the aftermath of losing his belt to Patricio Freire at #Belaltor277. pic.twitter.com/j2aqubD2Ou
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 16, 2022
Bellator
📊 By The Numbers@PatricioPitbull hands @ajmckee101 the first defeat of his career, to reclaim the Featherweight World Championship. #Bellator277 pic.twitter.com/7yis0SDTLs
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 16, 2022
David Michaud
I thought McKee had 3 rounds won
— David Michaud (@bulldawg_170) April 16, 2022
Henry Cejudo
PITBULL!!! #AndNew 🇧🇷 https://t.co/swbqKiaoJa
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 16, 2022
MMA Junkie
A tale of two of emotions: new champ @PatricioPitbull and former champ @ajmckee101 felt differently about the final decision. 😨#Bellator277 results: https://t.co/6nX338T9Ox pic.twitter.com/U5Wo3E0Un1
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 16, 2022
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