MIAMI – Just when it looked like one of the most heated rivalries in Bellator history might be revived in the UFC, cooler heads have prevailed.
Fighting on the same card Saturday at UFC 314, Patricio Freire and Michael Chandler ran into each other Wednesday at the fighter hotel, both fighters confirmed at separate news conferences Wednesday.
“Yeah, he apologized to me,” Freire told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “He said that he said some harsh words. He wasn’t going through a rough moment in his life, and he said some harsh words after fighting me and fighting my brother. So I accepted it. He had the honor to come and say that, so I accept it. ”
Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) echoed similar sentiments – and even as the loser of their May 2019 bout – said he has no interest in a rematch.
“We just saw each other in the lobby and shook hands a little bit and squashed the beef a little bit,” Chandler said. “He and I have some history. But man, we’ll never fight again. I wish him the best. We’ll watch on fight night and see how it comes out.”
The rivalry stemmed from Chandler’s initial fight against Freire’s brother Patricky. After Chandler brutally knocked out Patricky, he scaled the fence and told Patricio he’d kill him. Patricio later responded with the same threat.
