Patricio Freire needs a new opponent for his return at Bellator 153, as countrymen John Teixeira was forced out of the April 22 bout with a rib injury. Bellator officials confirmed the news to MMAFighting.com following a report by The MMA Report.
Freire (24-3) will return to action since losing the Bellator featherweight crown to Daniel Straus in November. Prior to the loss, "Pitbull" was riding a seven-fight winning streak with five finishes, including wins over Pat Curran, Daniel Weichel and Straus.
Freire-Teixeira was set as the co-main event of Bellator 153 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.