It didn’t take long for former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis to find a new home.
After fighting out his contract this past weekend, and announcing just yesterday that he was headed to free agency, “Showtime” has reportedly signed on with the PFL for their 2021 season. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani broke the news Wednesday, noting that Pettis (24-10) will compete in the league’s lightweight division.
Pettis later confirmed the news, posting a promo on his social media accounts.
2021 @profightleague 🤝🎥⌚️‼️ pic.twitter.com/jzBxbVsFX3
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 23, 2020
Anthony Pettis’ last two fights with the UFC, both wins, came at welterweight. But he’s best known for his time at 155lbs, where he hit the pinnacle of the sport by claiming titles in two major MMA promotions.
The Professional Fighters League sat out all of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, plans were previously announced for a return next year. The PFL airs their events on ESPN and ESPN+, running a “league” format with a tournament-style playoffs and final.
Among the PFL’s most notable stars are Kayla Harrison, who won the 2019 tournament at women’s lightweight, Sarah Kaufman, former Strikeforce and Invicta FC champion, and Rory MacDonald, the former Bellator MMA welterweight champ. MacDonald will also be making his promotional debut for the PFL in 2021, after signing with the company last December, prior to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Natan Schulte has won the PFL’s lightweight tournament two years running. The winner of each season takes home $1 million USD in prize money.
