Patricio Freire and A.J. McKee made some action at the Bellator 263 pre-fight news conference.
Restrained by Bellator president Scott Coker and promotion staffers, “Pitbull” and A.J. McKee ended in a flurry of toppled furniture, spilled drinks, and expletives.
The first move physically was made by Freire (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) who took exception to PED accusations made by McKee’s father and head coach, Antonio.
“Things went south when he started to talk sh*t about respect,” Freire told MMA Junkie. “Everyone knows his father was saying to the media that I was on drugs. After that, he said something about (how he) would beat me in front of my family. I will make him show some respect for them. The last one who talked sh*t like this, I kicked his ass in less than a minute. Now, he deserves the same thing.”
A.J McKee snatched Patricio Freire’s title to close the presser 👀#Bellator263 | Full video: https://t.co/ko4ww9CBPf pic.twitter.com/yJYx60fbjy
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) July 30, 2021
“I don’t know, he has 60 (years),” Freire said. “He is stronger than me, so he’s on drugs, too? Maybe? I don’t know what he wants. I’m 34. F*ck, man. I’m not 60 or 40. I’m a competitor and still a little bit fat. F*ck, man. He’s afraid of what will happen.”
What bothered Friere more than anything, and what he attributes to his aggressive behavior on stage, was the comment by McKee (17-0 MMA, 17-0 BMMA) that he would beat the Brazilian in front of his wife and kids.
“I’m going to kick his ass up,” Freire said.
Bellator 263 takes place Saturday at The Forum. The main card airs on Showtime.
