Daniel Weichel was within seconds of capturing featherweight gold at Bellator 138.
In a similar span of time, he saw that dream instantly evaporate. Weichel’s June 19 loss to then 145-pound champion Patricio Freire was a cruel reminder of the fickle nature of MMA.
One moment, the German fighter had “Pitbull” nearly knocked out, only for the first-round bell to grant the Brazilian a much-needed reprieve. Weichel attempted to capitalize on his momentum at the outset of the second stanza but paid for his aggression, as a left hook from Freire cold-cocked “The Weasel” just 32 seconds into the frame.