In a bantamweight championship bout in the co-main event, Sergio Pettis and Patricio Freire meet Friday at Bellator 297 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Bellator 297: Pettis vs. Freire odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims are on live streaming on Bellator’s YouTube channel at 6 p.m. ET, with the main card on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET.
Freire, the current Bellator featherweight champ, had made one successful defense of that strap when he topped Adam Borics at Bellator 286 in October. His last fight was a unanimous-decision win over Kleber Koike Erbst in a non-title bout on New Year’s Eve. “Pitbull” has won 10 of his past 11 bouts overall dating back to April 21, 2017.
Pettis took the bantamweight title belt off of Juan Archuleta at Bellator 258 in early May 2021, winning by unanimous decision. He defended the strap with a 4th-round KO/TKO over Kyoji Horiguchi at Bellator 272 in Dec. 2021 in his most recent bout. The champ missed all of 2022 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Bellator 297: Pettis vs. Freire odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Pettis +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Freire -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
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Bellator 297: Pettis vs. Freire picks and predictions
Records: Pettis (22-5-0) | Freire (35-5-0)
Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)
PETTIS (+150) enters this fight after the long road back from ACL surgery and rehab. The last time we saw him at 135 pounds, he was dropping Horiguchi to retain his strap.
Freire is looking to make history by winning a title in a third division at Bellator, but one of the greatest of all time in the company will have to wait. Pettis is hungry to get back into action, and he is a tremendous value as an underdog.
Pettis should be able to go this one done, but don’t be surprised to see him have to wow the judges and get it done on points.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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