Patricio Freire took on Kleber Koike at the Bellator vs. Rizin event on New Year’s Eve.
Patricio Freire met Kleber Koike in the semi-main event of Bellator vs. Rizin to close out 2022. Freire and Koike exchanged early in the first round, with Freire landing some good body shots and knocking down Koike on a few occasions. Koike, however, was able to land some calf kicks in the first round and even got Freire down on the map with a beautiful judo throw that he couldn’t follow up on.
In the second round, Koike tried to keep distance with his kicks, keeping Freire at bay but only momentarily. Freire was able to work the body and land some calf kicks just as in the first, but this round had far less significant action.
The third round saw far more grappling but still not a lof of big action. Koike was able to land some solid shots but Freire worked Koike’s legs with stiff kicks and controlled most of the time on the ground.
Freire got the win via unanimous decision.
Patricio Freire was a bad matchup for Kleber Koike at Bellator vs. Rizin
Freire controlled the fight the whole way through, negating most of Koike’s Muay Thai striking. Despite the height advantage, Koike really couldn’t get anything going.
After the win by Freire, Bellator moves to 4-0 on the night with one more fight left as of press.
