Highlights: Plump Pettis Drops Decision To Avila

Nate Diaz’s buddy Chris Avila used solid foundations and volume to stifle Anthony Pettis, beating the former UFC lightweight champion via decision.

Anthony Pettis was just a little too slow and Chris Avila was a little too slick in their undercard fight on the Diaz vs. Masvidal: Last Man Standing card.

Avila would decision Pettis with 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55 scores across six rounds. The longtime training partner of Nate Diaz was the more active fighter, peppering Pettis endlessly. None of that output seemed to bother Pettis too much, but it did seem to stifle the output of “Showtime.” Add in the solid footwork, glove defense, and head movement? Avila simply outboxed his opponent.

The 18,000 fans in attendance weren’t too impressed with the fight, which had all of the intensity of a sparring match (that cost $550,000). Both Avila and Pettis weighed in at 175 pounds, and the extra weight on their frames didn’t seem to help their speed or stamina much. The fight fell into a predictable trudge which led the crowd to boo semi-regularly.

The loss puts Pettis at 2-1 over his last three: “Showtime” shocked the world by winning a decision over Roy Jones Jr. last year, and then beat Benson Henderson in a Karate Combat fight. Prior to that he washed out of the PFL 2022 season, losing twice to Stevie Ray.

There was talk of Pettis fighting Cedric Doumbe in the PFL, and the former UFC lightweight champion teased even tougher fights against more decorated boxers. It will be interesting to see how that plays out after this uninspired loss.