MILWAUKEE, WI - AUGUST 31: Anthony Pettis celebrates after defeating Benson Henderson in their UFC lightweight championship bout at BMO Harris Bradley Center on August 31, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Anthony Pettis announces he has left the UFC to test free agency
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has decided to test free agency and has left the UFC. Pettis announced on his personal social media that he is leaving the company that he has been with for the last nine years. This isn’t the biggest shock since Pettis was on the last fight of his current contract and following his win on Saturday night was hinting at a possible exit.
“Wow, what a wild ride!” Pettis wrote in a statement on Instagram. “Almost 12 years with this company and so many amazing memories. From winning my first world title in the WEC to becoming the UFC world champion at 26 in my hometown! From being on MTV to the cover of a Wheaties box, I am forever grateful for everything I have experienced and accomplished with this company.”
Many believe that Pettis could be headed to Bellator to join his brother Sergio Pettis who joined back in October of 2019 and has had some success so far. Anthony could see the same kind of success as his brother in Bellator and perhaps can add another world title to his mantle.
“After 12 years I’ve decided to part ways with the UFC to explore free agency,” Pettis wrote.
After losing the UFC lightweight title, Anthony Pettis tried his hand at the featherweight division, unsuccessfully and then even made the jump up to welterweight hoping to kickstart another title run. Although he ended his tenure with the UFC on two big wins, this momentum could make for good fuel heading into free agency. If not Bellator, there is also PFL that has the luxury of offering their fighters a chance at winning one million dollars. Pettis has shown that he has what it takes to be a champion. Even if he has lost some of the “Showtime” magic, he is still a great fighter who can turn the lights out at any time.
