Report: Anthony Pettis returning to Professional Fighters League in 2022
Anthony Pettis is getting ready to run it back with the Professional Fighters League in 2022. Damon Martin of MMA Fighting reported on Wednesday that Pettis has plans to return to the PFL for their upcoming 2022 season, and Pettis seemingly confirmed the report with a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday.
📝Back in camp @PFLMMA
-🎥⌚️❤️ pic.twitter.com/pkjnkT0LiG
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) January 5, 2022
After spending 9 years with the UFC, 11 if you count his days with WEC as well, Anthony Pettis joined PFL in 2021 to compete in their $1 million season tournament, but things did not go his way in his first year with the promotion. The former UFC lightweight champion left the promotion on a two-fight winning streak but was upset in his PFL debut by Clay Collard who earned a unanimous decision victory.
Although the fight did not go his way, Pettis nearly finished Collard late in the fight but was unable to secure the victory.
Anthony Pettis nearly finishes Clay Collard with a wicked, come-from-behind head-kick flying knee combination pic.twitter.com/Wr1WZqvn93 #pflmma
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) April 24, 2021
The second fight for Anthony Pettis was closer, as he dropped a split-decision loss to Raush Manfio in his only other appearance in the 2021 season. With the two losses Pettis did not advance to the PFL $1 million playoff tournament, a place he is clearly training to get to in 2022.
Having a split decision loss to Raush Manfio should bring some bit of confidence to Pettis, as Manfio would go on to win the entire tournament and be crowned the PFL 2021 lightweight champion and $1 million tournament winner. Since he shared the cage with the reigning champion, it should be expected that a rematch between Pettis and Manfio would be one of the best fights PFL can make in 2022.
When he signed with the PFL, Anthony Pettis became one of the most notable names to jump ship over from a top promotion, coming from the UFC, along with former UFC contender and Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald. MacDonald also joined the PFL promotion in 2021, going 1-2 on the season with his last loss coming to eventual champion, Ray Cooper III.
It was not a successful year for former world champions in their PFL debut, but Anthony Pettis will be looking to avenge his first season and will have the opportunity to dethrone the champion throughout 2022.
