Bellator
MMA bantamweight champion Sergio
Pettis is finally coming into his own as a mixed martial arts
star and out of the shadow of his elder brother Anthony
Pettis.
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Despite making his professional debut back in 2011, Sergio for the
longest time felt he was known solely as the younger brother of
former
World Extreme Cagefighting and
Ultimate Fighting Championship king Anthony. It was
back-to-back losses against Rob Font and
Jussier
Formiga in his UFC days that changed things for “The
Phenom.”
After exiting the UFC with a win over Tyson Nam,
Pettis went on to rack up five consecutive wins under the Bellator
banner, which includes three title fights. Pettis returned to
action in June after an 18-month layoff due to an ACL surgery and
successfully defended his throne against featherweight champ
Patricio
“Pitbull” Freire.
Pettis is now scheduled to defend his throne at
Bellator 301 on Nov. 17 against Patrick Mix
(18-1), who won the Bellator bantamweight grand prix while the
champ was forced out of action due to injury.
Going into the clash, “The Phenom” feels he’s finally found his
stride as a mixed martial artist and hopes to serve as an example
for anyone who’s a “late bloomer.”
The Milwaukee native acknowledged that he wasn’t a very confident
individual growing up and also had the burden of being the younger
brother of a two-promotion world champion.
“I just want to be an example for everyone who is a late bloomer. I
feel like I am a late bloomer, and it took me time to really
develop my game, my skill and my confidence,” Pettis declared at
the Bellator 301 pre-fight press conference. “Growing up I was not
a confident individual and had a lot of anxiety. With that, I was
also under my brother’s shadow but in those dark times I was able
to learn who I am.”
One person who’s benefitted from Pettis’ progress is his elder
brother, who cashed in $122,500 on the Bellator champ’s successful
defense against Pitbull.
💰💰💰💰💰 @sergiopettis
pic.twitter.com/rxed9P4V3o— Anthony
Pettis (@Showtimepettis)
June 17, 2023
Pettis’ upcoming opponent, Mix, is riding a five-fight win streak
of his own, topped off by a stunning Round 1 knockout over Raufeon
Stots in the Bellator GP finals. While Pettis believes this is
going to be his toughest test so far, “The Phenom” also promises to
bring his best version on fight night.
“We’re going to have to see. You guys have seen this past year, Mix
has been submitting and knocking people out. You guys are in for a
treat Friday night. This is my toughest test to date. I bring a lot
of different looks each time. You guys see that I get better and
better every time I go out there. I am a hungry individual and a
hungry martial artist and this matchup will bring the best Sergio
Pettis you’ve seen.”