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Defends belt unanimously
Pettis defeated Patricio Freire via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) to defend his Bellator Bantamweight Title at Belllator 297 on Friday in Chicago.
ANALYSIS
Pettis originally won the bantamweight belt with an upset over Kyoji Horiguchi back in 2021, but he later suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the better part of the following year and a half. That led to Bellator creating a bantamweight grand prix that was ultimately won by Patchy Mix, who currently holds the interim champion tag and will presumably be the next opponent for Pettis. As far as this fight goes, Pettis was able to stop Pitbull's quest for Bellator history as Freire had been hoping to become the first fighter to win three belts under the company banner, having previously held gold at 145 and 155. The first round was close, but Pettis gained all the momentum with a Round 2 spinning wheel kick that nearly finished Freire right then and there. Pitbull's moments afterwards were few and far between, leading to the lopsided judges' scorecards.
Pettis originally won the bantamweight belt with an upset over Kyoji Horiguchi back in 2021, but he later suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the better part of the following year and a half. That led to Bellator creating a bantamweight grand prix that was ultimately won by Patchy Mix, who currently holds the interim champion tag and will presumably be the next opponent for Pettis. As far as this fight goes, Pettis was able to stop Pitbull's quest for Bellator history as Freire had been hoping to become the first fighter to win three belts under the company banner, having previously held gold at 145 and 155. The first round was close, but Pettis gained all the momentum with a Round 2 spinning wheel kick that nearly finished Freire right then and there. Pitbull's moments afterwards were few and far between, leading to the lopsided judges' scorecards.
Comes from behind to retain belt
Pettis defeated Kyoji Horiguchi via KO (spinning backfist) at 3:24 of Round 4 at Bellator 272 on Dec. 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena.
ANALYSIS
Pettis saw more adversity than he ever had in fights under the Bellator banner through the first three rounds of this one, as Horiguchi was landing at will with both his takedowns and striking. That's not necessarily too surprising, as Horiguchi -- who primarily fights under the RIZIN banner -- is largely considered one of the top bantamweights in the world. Pettis was able to weather the storm, however, and delivered one of the best knockouts of the year (in all of MMA) in the championship rounds. He'll retain his 135-pound belt in Bellator and improves his record to 4-0 with the promotion. Next up, Bellator has announced a Bantamweight Grand Prix in 2022 that will feature both fighters, along with six other 135 pounds, and have a $1 million top prize on the line. The bracket will almost certainly set the stage for an eventually rematch between the two.
Pettis saw more adversity than he ever had in fights under the Bellator banner through the first three rounds of this one, as Horiguchi was landing at will with both his takedowns and striking. That's not necessarily too surprising, as Horiguchi -- who primarily fights under the RIZIN banner -- is largely considered one of the top bantamweights in the world. Pettis was able to weather the storm, however, and delivered one of the best knockouts of the year (in all of MMA) in the championship rounds. He'll retain his 135-pound belt in Bellator and improves his record to 4-0 with the promotion. Next up, Bellator has announced a Bantamweight Grand Prix in 2022 that will feature both fighters, along with six other 135 pounds, and have a $1 million top prize on the line. The bracket will almost certainly set the stage for an eventually rematch between the two.
New Bellator Bantamweight Champ
Pettis defeated Juan Archuleta via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) to become the new Bellator Bantamweight Champion at Bellator 258 on Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena.
ANALYSIS
The move up to bantamweight was no issue for the former UFC contender, as Pettis was able to largely keep Archuleta's wrestling in check. He showed excellent takedown defense, and when he was brought to the mat, Pettis was able to quickly get back to his feet. He started to pull away in the later rounds, and while Archuleta continued to move forward, Pettis consistently was able to sting him with nasty counter shots. Now entering his prime at the age of 27, Pettis seemingly has plenty of options as he looks to begin an extended reign as champion.
The move up to bantamweight was no issue for the former UFC contender, as Pettis was able to largely keep Archuleta's wrestling in check. He showed excellent takedown defense, and when he was brought to the mat, Pettis was able to quickly get back to his feet. He started to pull away in the later rounds, and while Archuleta continued to move forward, Pettis consistently was able to sting him with nasty counter shots. Now entering his prime at the age of 27, Pettis seemingly has plenty of options as he looks to begin an extended reign as champion.
Bellator return date set
Pettis is in line to take on Ricky Bandejas in a flyweight matchup in Bellator's return to action July 24 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, Raphael Marinho of Combate reports.
ANALYSIS
Pettis began his run with Bellator in January, defeating Alfred Khashakyan via technical submission in the first round. He and the rest of the Bellator roster have been sidelined since March 13, however, as the company hasn't been quite as quick to return as the UFC. Nonetheless, there's now a return date set at a location very familiar with hosting Bellator events. It's unclear what other fights will show up on the card at this time, but a date and location is still a massive step for the company in moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pettis began his run with Bellator in January, defeating Alfred Khashakyan via technical submission in the first round. He and the rest of the Bellator roster have been sidelined since March 13, however, as the company hasn't been quite as quick to return as the UFC. Nonetheless, there's now a return date set at a location very familiar with hosting Bellator events. It's unclear what other fights will show up on the card at this time, but a date and location is still a massive step for the company in moving forward from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Signs with Bellator
Pettis agreed to terms with Bellator on a multifight contract, where he will compete solely as a bantamweight, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
The 26-year-old competed as a flyweight and bantamweight in the UFC and was considered one of the top flyweights in the promotion, but he will fight solely as a bantamweight in Bellator since they do not have a male flyweight division. Pettis carries an 18-5 record as a professional fighter, including a record of 9-5 with UFC. He has dropped three of his last five fights, but is coming off a victory over Tyson Nam via unanimous decision. Pettis' debut with Bellator has not yet been set.
The 26-year-old competed as a flyweight and bantamweight in the UFC and was considered one of the top flyweights in the promotion, but he will fight solely as a bantamweight in Bellator since they do not have a male flyweight division. Pettis carries an 18-5 record as a professional fighter, including a record of 9-5 with UFC. He has dropped three of his last five fights, but is coming off a victory over Tyson Nam via unanimous decision. Pettis' debut with Bellator has not yet been set.