For Bellator 45, tourney finalist Patricio Freire fueled by "Pitbull" bond

Makes no bones about it; Patricio Freire (16-1 MMA, 4-1 BFC) is fighting for the "Pitbull" family name when he meets Daniel Straus (16-3 MMA, 3-0 BFC) at Saturday's Bellator 45 event.

Patricio's brother, Patricky Freire, recently suffered a loss to Michael Chandler in the finale of Bellator's season-four lightweight tourney.

Now in a finale of his own, featherweight Patricio said it's his job to defend the family's honor.

"After Patricky's loss to Michael, I feel like I have a job to defend the 'Pitbull' name," said Patricio, who co-headlines Saturday's MTV2-televised event at L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La. "It's an honor to be linked to my brother Patricky, and I have a chance to become a champion."

The two brothers, the 23-year-old Patricio and the 24-year-old Patricky, are natives of Brazil who dominated the country's regional circuit. Patricio made his Bellator and U.S. debut in 2010, when he posted a runner-up finish to Joe Warren in a season-two tourney finale. Patricky joined the organization earlier this year and ultimately fell short to Chandler in his own tourney.

Together, the "Pitbull" brothers posted a series of stunning knockouts through their opening-round and semifinal fights, and they proved some of the season's few breakout stars.

But despite being ousted in his tourney finale this past week, Patricky will be cageside for his brother's fight on Saturday.

"Even after my loss, I can't explain the emotion I feel seeing my brother in this ... fight," he said. "I'm going to have so much positive energy in his corner this weekend, and I know he will win."

Patricio said it's hardly a cliche sound bite.

"Having Patricky in my corner this week is the most important thing in my life," he said. "If he wasn't there this weekend, there is no way I could fight at 100 percent."

If victorious in the three-rounder, Patricio gets $100,000 in total pay and a guaranteed title shot with the only fighter ever to defeat him: Warren. And while he knows Straus and his 12-fight win streak present a stern challenge, he can't but help look ahead. So, as he sees it, Straus is simply a means to an end.

"Defeating Daniel Straus is my objective for this Saturday, but my focus has always been on getting a rematch with Joe Warren," he said. "If I beat Straus, I know I will have that chance."

But beyond that dream, he has another: two Bellator belts in the family.

"This is my dream," he said. "To have a chance to become a Bellator champion is my dream. I see the banners they hang at every fight, and I want to see both of us up on those soon."