Former UFC lightweight Kurt ‘Batman’ Pellegrino (16-6) talked of retirement recently after his dismissal from the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion.
During tonight’s, Sept. 10, Bellator 49 prelim video stream on Spike.com, the promotion announced the signing of ‘Batman’ to Bellator as well as naming his opponent, Season Four lightweight finalist Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire (9-2).
The two are scheduled to meet at Bellator 59 which was announced for November 26 at Caesars Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Pelegrino is 4-2 in his last six, all of which took place in the Octagon. ‘Batman’ had his last fight in March, losing a split decision to Gleison Tibau at UFC 128. Before that, he dropped a unanimous decision to George Sotiropoulos in June of last year at UFC 116. His last victory came at UFC 111 with a second round submission victory over Fabricio Camoes.
Freire had his last fight in May, losing a unanimous decision to Michael Chandler in the Season Four Lightweight tournament finals. That was ‘Pitbull’s’ first Bellator loss having stopped Toby Imada (flying knee) and Rob McCullough (punches) by knockout in the tournament.