Queally is set to be the first Irish fighter ever to compete for a major title on home soil and he will become Bellator’s first ever world champion from Ireland if he comes out on top.
The Showstopper and The Pitbull have already met once previously with the former coming out on top at Bellator 258 in May courtesy of a doctor’s stoppage.
Friday’s rematch has an extra edge to it with the lightweight title, which was recently vacated by Patricky’s brother Patricio, also up for grabs.
Patricio relinquished the belt to let his brother “have his shot” and revealed he is firmly focused on AJ McKee after losing his featherweight title to the American in July.
Pitbull to Earn Revenge
Bellator returns to Dublin for the first time since February 2020 on Friday after the company was forced to cancel an event in October 2020 due to the pandemic.
A vociferous crowd are expected to pack out the 3Arena in the capital and Queally will hope to use that to his advantage.
But that’s all he appears to have on his side on the basis of what we saw from the first meeting when Freire dominated in all areas.
The 35-year-old was quicker to the punch, landed a series of damaging leg kicks, which twice had Queally stumbling and vastly limited his mobility, and he secured a takedown without any resistance at the end of both rounds.
Unfortunately, he was caught above the left eye in round two and wasn’t allowed to return for the third and final round after an interjection from the doctor.
It’s no surprise to see Freire priced as the 20/59 favourite and he should earn revenge this time around against 2/1 underdog Queally to spoil the party in Dublin.
Freire, who has sealed 16 of his 23 wins by KO/TKO or submission, proved in the first bout that he can attack from all angles and cause damage, and there’s additional value to be had by backing him to end this one inside the distance.
Patchy to Mix It up Against Gallagher
Patrick ‘Patchy’ Mix is a heavy 1/4 favourite to see off 27/10 James Gallagher in the co-main event as two Jiu- Jitsu specialists meet at bantamweight.
The American, who hails from Angola, New York, boasts a very impressive 14-1 record with his only defeat coming against Juan Archuleta for the vacant bantamweight belt at Bellator 246 in September 2020.
He has won 10 of those 14 fights by submission, one by TKO and three by way of a decision, while his sole defeat also came courtesy of the judges as he took compatriot Archuleta the distance.
Gallagher, who is 11-1, also has a fondness for utilising submissions and nine of his 11 victories have come via that route with the other two courtesy of a decision.
If it comes down to who can gain control on the deck then Patchy should have the edge but, as is often the case when two fighters both heavily favour mode of attack, it’s most likely to play out on the feet.
That’s where Mix, who has superior power with the hands, should force this fight to go to continue his path back towards a title shot.
Newcomer Set for Rude Awakening
A middleweight bout between #6 Charlie Ward and #9 Norbert Novenyi was slated to take place but both fighters have since withdrawn due to injuries.
#4 Fabian Edwards, priced at 4/17, initially came in to replace Novenyi after he suffered a torn ACL and promotional newcomer Robert Fonseca accepted the call to step in for Ward after he ruptured a bicep.
Edwards, who is the younger brother of #3 ranked UFC welterweight contender Leon, has lost his last two fights against #3 Costello van Steenis and #1 Austin Vanderford.
A third successive defeat, especially against a new arrival to the company, would seriously stall his progress and rule out a run at the title in the near future.
Credit has to be given to Fonseca for stepping into a fight that is probably above his level at present, but he’s taken up the chance to make his Bellator debut and will garner some favour with the organisation for doing so.
At 14/5, Fonseca is the biggest underdog on the main card and an upset is very difficult to make a case for.
*All odds correct at time of writing