Anthony Pettis | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Ex-UFC Champion Anthony Pettis to Make PFL Debut on April 23 vs. Clay Collard

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will make his PFL debut on April 23 vs. Clay Collard in the PFL 1 main event, per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto …

Report – Anthony Pettis Draws Clay Collard In PFL Debut On April 23

Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis has his welcoming party nailed down for his promotional debut under the PFL (Professional Fighters League) banner on April 23. Headlining the event, Pettis draws fellow former UFC feature, professional boxer, Clay Collard in his first outing to boot — as the pair open up the 2021 […]

Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis has his welcoming party nailed down for his promotional debut under the PFL (Professional Fighters League) banner on April 23.

Headlining the event, Pettis draws fellow former UFC feature, professional boxer, Clay Collard in his first outing to boot — as the pair open up the 2021 lightweight tournament.

Also featured on the card is former two-time PFL 155-pound titleholder, Natan Schulte who clashes with former UFC, Bellator, and ACA grappling talent, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Marcin Held in a co-main event slot.

Opening the event’s four-fight main card as the PFL return to a schedule for the first time since December 2019 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, featherweight kingpin, Lance Palmer clashes with another promotional newcomer, former Brave CF titleholder, Bubba Jenkins.

Recent Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Manchester standout, Brendan Loughnane also makes his return, hoping to make it six wins on the trot as he opens the event against former UFC featherweight contender, Sheymon Moraes. Another former Octagon talent also lands on the card as Canada’s, Olivier Aubin-Mercier clashes with Joliton Lutterbach on the ESPN+ portion of the event. (H/T MMA Fighting)

Inking terms with the promotion following a nine-year stay under the UFC’s bannerPettis, Milwaukee favourite, Pettis tested free-agency after his unanimous decision victory over the Alex Morono in December last at UFC Vegas 17.

Pettis joins a list of hugely-recognisable acquisitions for the promotion recently, linking up with the likes of former UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, as well as Olympic gold medalist and boxing world champion, Claressa Shields.

A former UFC lightweight titleholder, Pettis submitted fellow grappling ace, Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in August of 2013 to claim the throne, before knocking back former Strikeforce gold holder, Gilbert Melendez with a second round guillotine at UFC 181 in December of 2014 in his sole successful title defence.

Making his return to mixed martial arts for the first time since April of 2019, three-fight UFC veteran, Collard returned his hand to professional boxing in May of that year — establishing a commendable 9-3-3 professional résumé since then.

18-8(1) as a professional mixed martial artist, Collard is currently riding a two-fight winning run, dropping his UFC debut to former featherweight kingpin, common-foe, Max Holloway back in August of 2014. In his sole promotional win, Collard took a judging victory over Alex White before decision losses to both Gabriel Benitez and Tiago Trator.

Anthony Pettis Reveals He Got Offer From UFC, Didn’t Want To Be In ‘Same Rat Race’

Anthony Pettis wasn’t in danger of getting cut from the UFC. Amid a number of recent releases from the promotion, Pettis was a big name to depart the UFC as he would sign with the PFL. It followed right after the last fight of his contract where he outpointed Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17 […]

Anthony Pettis wasn’t in danger of getting cut from the UFC.

Amid a number of recent releases from the promotion, Pettis was a big name to depart the UFC as he would sign with the PFL. It followed right after the last fight of his contract where he outpointed Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17 last month.

However, the former lightweight champion was actually offered a new contract with the UFC. That said, he wanted a change of scenery and the PFL provided that.

“I wasn’t getting cut,” Pettis told MMA Fighting. “I wasn’t on the chopping block, I had an offer from the UFC. But that offer was like putting me back in the same rat race I’ve been in, if you will. I’ve been in that rat race. I know I was going down to 155, everybody’s trying to get that belt again. There’s some names in front of me. It would have been fun to go back and take care of some guys that I know I could have beaten and that I lost to, but when I made this decision I took all that emotion away from it.

“I took away trying to be a champion in the UFC, trying to come back from losses that I had, rematches that I wanted. What makes sense for my career? What makes sense for Anthony Pettis right now? It didn’t take long. I knew what my goals were and these guys are giving me a format for it.”

The PFL’s tournament format certainly helps as Pettis only needs a couple of wins to earn the promotion’s lightweight title in December this year. There’s also the added bonus of a $1 million prize as well as becoming the face of the promotion.

But even with all the benefits, signing with the PFL was still nerve-wracking for “Showtime” who spent so much of his career with the UFC.

“It was probably one of the most nervous days of my life,” Pettis said. “It was making a big decision. Like I’ve said, the UFC’s been nothing but great to me. I’ve had the best opportunities, I’ve gotten treated very, very well in the UFC, taken care of very, very well. Great opportunities. I grew up under them lights, them gloves are part of my life.

“Then deciding that I’m going to go see what’s next, the next part of my career, the next chapter of my career, turning the page onto the next part of my career, I was nervous. I still am nervous. Anything could happen.”

The 2021 PFL season commences April 23 where Pettis along with a number of other big names in MMA will make their official promotional debuts.

Do you think Pettis made the right move?

Anthony Pettis Wants To Enter Boxing Before Career Is Over

Anthony Pettis is a mainstay in MMA but revealed he is interested in crossing over to boxing. Pettis recently signed with PFL and set to be part of the 2021 tournament. The goal for Pettis is to win the 2021 lightweight tournament and then fight in the…

PFL’s Anthony Pettis ‘Would Love’ to Have Boxing Match; Talks Jake Paul

MMA fighter Anthony Pettis is open to a boxing match against YouTuber Jake Paul. In an interview with TMZ Sports before his win over Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night last month, Pettis discussed his desire to box at some point…

Anthony Pettis ‘Would Love To Box’, Eyes Jake Paul As Potential Opponent

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis recently revealed his interest in a potential future in boxing. In an interview with TMZ, Pettis was asked for his thoughts on the success of Jake Paul’s most recent victory against Nate Robinson. Contrary to much of the MMA community’s thoughts on the matter, Pettis was primarily complimentary about the younger Paul brother. However Pettis stated that he is extremely interested in entering the world of boxing, mentioning that his love of the sport was what originally got him into MMA.

Upon being asked if he would be interested in a matchup with Jake Paul, ‘Showtime’ stated: “Bro I would love to box. I still haven’t boxed yet, so I’m 0-0.” He also remarked “I’m only 33 and I’ve been doing this MMA thing for so long.” Pettis would undeniably serve as the greatest test for Jake Paul yet, with high level striking and legitimate knockout power. Fights against Dillon Danis and Ben Askren are also potential options for Jake Paul.

Pettis has since signed with the Professional Fighters League, more commonly referred to as the PFL. Whilst this would imply that the former champ is likely to have his immediate future set on MMA, a potential one off boxing match may be an option. Alternatively, Dana White has constantly teased the idea of Zuffa Boxing over the past few years. With Pettis being such an established name, this could serve as an excellent future option for him.

He also mentioned that he may venture into kickboxing. Recent performances against Thompson and Morono prove that Pettis is still a very real threat in regards to striking prowess. Throughout his career Showtime has consistently shown his best when fighting a kickboxing style fight.

Should Showtime not face Paul in the ring, he may still have an impact on his boxing career. As MMA MANIA reported, Pettis has volunteered to help Askren train to fight Jake.

Do you think that Anthony Pettis would defeat Jake Paul?