It didn’t take long for Anthony Pettis‘ younger brother to make his way into the UFC. Sergio Pettis (8-0 MMA) has signed with the UFC and will make his debut with the promotion in November. Sources close to the fighter confirmed his signing to MMAJunkie.com following an initial report from Combate.
The Combate report said Pettis will make his UFC debut at UFC 167 as a bantamweight, moving up from his current flyweight home. While MMAjunkie.com could not immediately confirm the change in division, Pettis told MMAjunkie.com Radio this past week that he was considering a move up to bantamweight. No news on an opponent at this time.
Pettis is just 20 years old and already accomplished so much without living in his brothers shoes. Ever since the announcement of Sergio turning pro, it has only been a matter of time before we saw him debut in the UFC. This past weekend Pettis submitted James Porter in the first round of a North American Fighting Championship event in his home city of Milwaukee. Pettis is 9-0 with three knockouts, three submissions and three decision victories, all unanimous.
This past week on MMAjunkie.com Radio, Pettis said he wanted to get to the UFC quickly. “That’s what I’m hoping for, and I’m ready to step up to the next level,” Pettis told MMAjunkie.com Radio. “This is the time to do it. I’m young, and why waste my youth?”
UFC 167 takes place Nov. 16 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and Facebook.
~ Final Thought ~
Sergio Pettis is a great fighter and even has the potential to be better than his brother in the long run. He will be around longer, that’s for sure. The problem I have, is the weight-class. I understand wanting to move up, but the UFC bantamweight division is jammed right now. There is so much room in the flyweight division, and I would at least liked to see Pettis debut where he is comfortable.
He has never fought at bantamweight and I would hate to see him lose his UFC debut in unfamiliar territory. The UFC is the big stage and whoever Pettis fights in his debut will be no joke. Expect Pettis’ first fight to be a war in welcoming.