MMA fighter Chris Avila is stepping back into the squared circle tonight against fellow mixed martial artist Anthony Pettis. This bout is set to be a highlight of the undercard for the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal event at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Avila aims to extend his impressive five-fight winning streak, while Pettis looks to make a mark in the world of boxing.

Originally scheduled for June 1 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, the fight was later moved to June 6th. Nonetheless, as these MMA fighters transition to the boxing ring, speculation is rife about who will come out on top tonight. Here’s a breakdown of their stats side by side, setting the stage for their six-round clash at 175 pounds.

Who’s got the better rap sheet?

Pettis, the former UFC lightweight champ, dipped his toes into boxing last April against legend Roy Jones Jr., snagging a majority decision win. Recently, he also clinched a unanimous decision over Benson Henderson, another ex-UFC lightweight champ. From 2013 to 2015, he owned the lightweight title too, so his skills are solid.

Meanwhile, Avila boasts a record of  5-1-0 with a successful run in the influencer boxing scene. The Stockton, California native, just like Nate Diaz, Avila has defeated MMA fighters Jeremy Stephens and Anthony Taylor. He also has wins over influencers Paul Bamba and Mikhail Varshavski. But what really jumps out about Avila is that he is Diaz’s training partner, so a fight in Diaz’s undercard must be exciting for him.

Coming to who’s more likely to win based on their records, Avila is obviously the more experienced boxer between the duo. He also has experience dealing with MMA fighters in the boxing ring, whereas Pettis, while a great mixed martial artist, lacks the expertise. So, it would be a safe bet to rally behind Avila in the upcoming fight.

Chris Avila vs. Anthony Pettis: Age, Height, Reach, Weight

At 37 years old, Pettis is the older boxer in the fight against the 31-year-old Avila. While he is not completely out of his prime, Pettis is getting close to that stage where he might have thought about retiring in a few years. Even so, his age shouldn’t affect his performance in the ring. Coming to height, both fighters have identical numbers at 5’10” or 178 cm.

But the same can’t be said about their reach. The advantage here goes to Avila, though the advantage is miniscule, Avila has a reach of 73” or 185 cm compared to Pettis’ 72.5” or 184 cm reach. As for weight, Avila weighed in at 175.6 pounds, and Pettis was slightly lighter at 175.3 pounds in their recent weigh-ins. Pretty much neck and neck when you factor in their age, weight, height, and reach. It’s gonna be a tight match.

Who is getting put to sleep?

After years in the octagon, Avila and Pettis have seen their fair share of brutal knockouts, dishing out and taking some of the toughest hits in MMA. But moving to boxing brought a whole new ball game. With bigger, more padded gloves, the chances of knockouts have dropped. This shift has been notable because neither Avila nor Pettis has snagged a knockout win in boxing yet. Their knockout records? Zero.

Despite this, the possibility of a knockdown or knockout in their upcoming fight remains high. Avila might see Pettis’ relative inexperience in boxing as an opportunity to take risks and aim for a decisive blow. On the other hand, Pettis could use his strategic acumen to anticipate and capitalize on any aggressive moves by Avila, potentially landing a counterpunch that sends Avila to the canvas. The dynamic between Avila’s calculated aggression and Pettis’ tactical counter-strategy makes for a thrilling and unpredictable matchup. 

Such crossover boxing matches are always fun and action packed, and most fans are expecting the same from Chris Avila and Anthony Pettis tonight. Will they be able to deliver? Only time will tell! Until then, we want to know who you will be cheering for.