Bellator MMA signs former UFC contender Sergio Pettis

After 14 fights under the UFC banner, Sergio Pettis is headed to Bellator. ESPN reported that Pettis, who was a free agent following his…

By: Mookie Alexander | 4 years ago
Bellator MMA signs former UFC contender Sergio Pettis
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After 14 fights under the UFC banner, Sergio Pettis is headed to Bellator.

ESPN reported that Pettis, who was a free agent following his most recent bout, has agreed to a multi-fight deal with the Viacom-owned promotion. While Pettis has competed as a flyweight and bantamweight, he’ll be a bantamweight in Bellator due to its lack of a men’s flyweight division.

Pettis (18-5) carved out a 9-5 record in the UFC, most notably defeating former title challengers Chris Cariaso, John Moraga and, Joseph Benavidez. In his last bout, he won a unanimous decision over Tyson Nam at UFC Mexico City back in September, snapping a two-fight losing skid comprised of decision defeats to Jussier Formiga and Rob Font. He never won any of his UFC bouts by stoppage.

It looked as if Pettis was lined up to face Kai Kara-France at UFC 245, but his contract expired following the Nam bout, which paved the way for the younger brother of former WEC and UFC champ Anthony Pettis to test the free agent market. While Sergio is off to Bellator, Kara-France will instead face Brandon Moreno, whom Pettis beat in the UFC Mexico City main event back in 2017.

There’s no word yet on when Pettis’ Bellator debut will take place.

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Mookie Alexander
Mookie Alexander

Mookie is a former Associate Editor for Bloody Elbow, leaving in August 2022 after ten years as a member of the staff. He's still lurking behind the scenes.

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