Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Freire is upset with the commission that oversaw his win over Daniel Straus.

After recapturing the title at Bellator 178, Freire was fined $2,500 by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations for jumping on the cage to celebrate. MTDAR director Mike Mazzulli previously told MMAFighting.com he’d warned fighters beforehand of the safety issue it presented.

“Pitbull” Freire told MMAjunkie that Mazzulli didn’t seem very concerned about safety after his victory over Straus.

“Mike Mazzulli approached my corner after my victory, laughing and saying that he just finished making some money,” Freire said. “He seemed very condescending. He certainly didn’t come across as someone concerned that a fighter might get hurt, jumping on and off the fence. He wasn’t concerned about anyone’s safety. He was concerned about making money.”

Reached today by MMAjunkie, Mazzulli had no comment on the matter. The Mohegan chief also heads the Association of Boxing Commissions and has consulted with the promotion to oversee drug testing on events held overseas.

It’s not the first time Freire has been critical of officials. Despite his status as the Viacom-owned promotion’s winningest fighter, the 29-year-old Brazilian is not known for holding his tongue when unhappy with his employers and fellow fighters. He’s criticized Bellator’s matchmaking strategy and called attention to a lack of bonuses offered for fights. He’s also feuded with at least one former champion.

But at this past month’s title fight, Freire (26-4 MMA, 14-4 BMMA) had reason to be in a good mood. The win over Straus (24-7 MMA, 11-4 BMMA), by second-round guillotine choke, avenged a loss nearly two years ago that took away a title he’d defended twice. He immediately dedicated his win to his son, who even managed to get in a few words during his post-fight speech.

Freire told MMAjunkie he wished Bellator as an organization wouldn’t indirectly encourage fighters to jump on the fence in celebration after wins by showcasing those moments on the Spike broadcasts, or on social media.

“When a fighter climbs up, the promotion snaps photos which they share via social media,” he said. “It’s also good television. It’s just a heartfelt celebration. I don’t know (the commissions’) reasons for fining us. Do they want the winning fighter to stand around in the cage, doing nothing? It’s something that the promotion encourages by recording it.

“Either the promotion needs to enter into an agreement with the commission, or they should stop encouraging ‘irregular’ actions by their fighters. It’s what they’re doing, as I see it. It’s a misunderstanding between both organizations. I don’t see the problem with climbing on the cage, as we’re already fighting inside the cage.”

Freire said contesting the fine is something he’s not prepared to do, though.

“The fine will have to stand,” he said. “If I secure a lawyer to fight this, it’s going to be a hassle, and it may cost me more than the fine itself.”

For complete coverage of Bellator 178, including a full event recap, check out the MMA Events section of the site.