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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 18: Anthony Pettis prepares for the start of his lightweight bout against Carlos Diego Ferreira during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 18: Anthony Pettis prepares for the start of his lightweight bout against Carlos Diego Ferreira during UFC 246 at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
In the past year, a few big names from the UFC have left the promotion and joined rival promotions in search of better opportunities and better pay. Anthony Pettis is one such fighter. The former lightweight champion joined PFL in a move that shocked the MMA community.
Pettis had been with the UFC since 2011 when he made his debut against Clay Guida. During his time with the UFC, ‘Showtime’ went on to become the champion at 155-pounds and also defended his belt once before losing it to Rafael dos Anjos.
‘Showtime’ is an apt moniker for someone who has always given everything he had when he stepped in the octagon.
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Read: Anthony Pettis plans to be the face of PFL MMA
Can Anthony Pettis replicate his success at PFL?
In a recent interview, Amy Kaplan of Fansided asked Pettis what the defining moment in his UFC career was.
He replied, “My best moment was winning the UFC championship in my hometown. Going to the Bradley Center that is gone now, they redid the whole thing. As a kid, I went to the Bradley Center, and I even said it during the fight as a kid I used to sit up in the nosebleeds seats. See my name in the lights, and to see my whole city come out, and to win the fight in the first round, flawless victory. That’s something that I will always remember and cherish.”Pettis took on Benson Henderson at UFC 164 for the lightweight belt. He was able to secure an impressive arm-bar in the very first round of the fight and in the process won the belt in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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After his recent win against Alex Morono, in the post-fight interview, Pettis said that he would be dropping down to 155-pound to mount his last title challenge. Therefore, it came as a surprise when he announced his departure from the UFC.
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 23: Anthony Pettis walks to the Octagon prior to his welterweight bout against Stephen Thompson during the UFC Fight Night event at Bridgestone Arena on March 23, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
‘Showtime’ is still only 33 and has a lot of time left in his career to achieve his goals under the new promotion. At this point in time, it is not confirmed whether Pettis will take part in the season format in 2021.
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How well do you remember Pettis’ title win?
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