Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has big plans for his run in PFL and those plans include becoming the face of the company — Fightful has you covered on Pettis' plans and much more from around the world of combat sports.
Anthony Pettis Plans To Become Face Of PFL
Big things are in-store for "Showtime" following his departure from the UFC.
The former UFC lightweight champion announced that he signed with PFL following his most recent win against Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17. The 33-year old plans to not only become a champion in PFL but also to become the face of the company.
“I was looking at a couple of deals, a couple of opportunities and the PFL just made the most sense to me, especially at this point in my career,” Pettis said when speaking with MMA Fighting. “Their format for becoming a champion, I can become a champion in 12 months. It’s a season. I know when I’m gonna fight, it’s definitely a whole different experience for me having the tournament-style like this.
“And also I get to be the face of this company. I know there’s other big names in this, but I’m taking it on my own shoulders to be the face of this company. I feel like it’s my job to make this company a household name and people want to tune in and know when the next PFL fights are happening. That was another big thing for me, saying yes to this part of my career. Bellator, ONE FC, same kind of concept of the UFC, I’d have to work my way up to a title shot. I have to find out who’s the next guy in line, try that aspect, whereas this is laid out how to become a champion. I know how to do it. It’s in 12 months, in a year’s span, there’s 10 guys in my division and only four of ‘em I have to beat, so it’s exciting for me.”
“I wasn’t getting cut,” Pettis said. “I wasn’t on the chopping block, I had an offer from the UFC. But that offer was like putting me back in the same rat race I’ve been in, if you will. I’ve been in that rat race. I know I was going down to 155, everybody’s trying to get that belt again. There’s some names in front of me. It would have been fun to go back and take care of some guys that I know I could have beaten and that I lost to, but when I made this decision I took all that emotion away from it.
“I took away trying to be a champion in the UFC, trying to come back from losses that I had, rematches that I wanted. What makes sense for my career? What makes sense for Anthony Pettis right now? It didn’t take long. I knew what my goals were and these guys are giving me a format for it.”
“It was probably one of the most nervous days of my life,” Pettis said when asked what it was like to sign the PFL contract. “It was making a big decision. Like I’ve said, the UFC’s been nothing but great to me. I’ve had the best opportunities, I’ve gotten treated very, very well in the UFC, taken care of very, very well. Great opportunities. I grew up under them lights, them gloves are part of my life.
“Then deciding that I’m going to go see what’s next, the next part of my career, the next chapter of my career, turning the page onto the next part of my career, I was nervous. I still am nervous. Anything could happen.”
Irwin Rivera Being Held At Mental Health Facility
UFC veteran Irwin Rivera is currently being held at a mental health facility after being arrested on premeditated murder charges.
Irwin Rivera made his first appearance in court on Friday morning via public defender and was issued a no-contact order against his family, a Palm Beach County court spokesperson told MMA Fighting on Friday afternoon. After probable cause was found on two attempted murder charges, he was ordered to be held without bail. An emergency motion was granted to use the Baker Act, which allows people with mental illnesses to be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours in a mental health treatment facility, the spokesperson said.
James Krause Responds To Call Out From Diego Sanchez
UFC veteran James Krause is ready and willing to be Diego Sanchez's swan song in the UFC.
The 34-year old Krause took to Instagram to share a text from the fan-favorite Sanchez, who admitted he was nearing the end of his professional MMA career. In the text, Sanchez seemingly offered a fight to Krause, who was more than happy to oblige:
Belal Muhammad Aiming To Breakthrough In 2021
At UFC 258 Belal Muhammad will make his return to the UFC's octagon.
The 32-year old Chicago-native hopes that is just the start to a massive 2021, “I belong in the rankings, and I belong fighting these top-tier guys,” he told MMA Fighting. “If I get two [wins], I want to get me a five-rounder.”
“Now it’s on us to try and figure something out,” Muhammad said. “I’m thankful that the UFC has given us the opportunity to fight and make money.”
“Now I can get those big-name fights because I am in the rankings,” said Muhammad. “Before, I won seven of my last eight, but I couldn’t get a ranked guy, because they don’t want to put their position on the line. But now, I’m on the ladder, so it’s just climbing those rungs.”
“Now with COVID, this is the time where guys can make a name from themselves,” he said. “Kevin Holland fought five times, and his first four fights weren’t against some of the biggest names, but when he fought a big name like [Ronaldo] ‘Jacare’ [Souza], he performed, and now he’s one of the breakthrough stars.”
“You’ve seen with some guys, something will just click,” he said. “Masvidal has always been the same guy. It just takes that one fight. To me, it’s all about momentum, and riding that wave at the right time. Just being yourself.
“You don’t have to fake it. You can be a Colby Covington and be fake and try to get attention from being ignorant and dumb like that, or you can be real and be yourself, and it’s going to come at the right time. Masvidal is one of the biggest stars, and he just stuck to his guns.”
Jorge Masvidal Threatens To Leave Twitter Over President Trump Ban
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal doesn't think Twitter banning President Trump is "super necessary."
Earlier this week, the social media platform permanently banned the soon-to-be former President from their network due to the potential risk of further rioting at the United States Capitol. The number four ranked UFC welterweight took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with Twitter's decision, going as far as seemingly deciding to leave the platform:
Not too many places I ain’t been kicked out of and since all the cool kids have been kicked off Twitter.... ---- @jack Follow the leader. Ala din my way out of here #supernecessary
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) January 9, 2021
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Max Holloway Isn't Looking Past Calvin Kattar
UFC on ABC 1 marks the return of the promotion after a three-week holiday hiatus and features the return of former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.
The Hawaiian-born former champion doesn't plan to look past his foe, surging contender Calvin Kattar when the octagon door closes Saturday night in Abu Dhabi.
"At the end of the day, we’re fighting five rounds,” Holloway told Yahoo! Sports. “There’s no less work. I’ve got to do the same amount of work, the same amount I’ve been doing for a title fight – the same rules, the same everything.”
“Calvin is a dangerous dude, and we know he is dangerous because he will be standing across from me, and I’m excited for it. He’s from Boston. People like to talk about his boxing and people like to talk about my boxing, so the fun thing is … Calvin was saying something like I’m overlooking him, this and that. I can’t. How can I overlook you? He made it here. I’ve got to respect that. At the end of the day, I just can’t wait to fight him. I can’t wait to go in there and see what he has to offer.”
"There’s no talk. There’s no regrets. We did what we did,” Holloway said. “The past is called ‘the past’ for a reason. You move on. You get on with the day, and I’m going to do hard work. This ain’t my first rodeo. I’ve told a lot of people, ‘If I’ve got to go out and get another 10-win streak, that’s what I’ve got to do.”
Bellator, Adam Borics Agree To Extension
Featherweight standout Adam Borics is sticking around Bellator for the foreseeable future.
The 27-year old Hungarian has inked a multi-fight deal with the Connecticut-based promotion according to MMA Junkie.
Borics (16-1) has only one defeat during his eight bout tenure under the Bellator umbrella when he came up short against former champion Darrion Caldwell during the Bellator featherweight grand-prix. He holds notable finishes over super prospect Aaron Pico and former champion Pat Curran.
Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia Have Heated Exchange On Mike Tyson's Podcast
Ryan Garcia ended 2020 on a high note when he knocked out Luke Campbell to claim the WBC lightweight title.
During the latest edition of heavyweight legend Mike Tyson's podcast "HotBoxin", the undefeated rising star hinted at a potential showdown with fellow undefeated star Gervonta Davis, who joined the show via FaceTime:
"You're 5’5”. You’re going to need a ladder to hit me. You’re going to need a StairMaster. You won’t be able to touch me. You ain’t never fought a 135-[pounder] in your life. This is different. I don’t care what you say. You ain’t got nothing,” Garcia said.
“This just became one of the biggest events of 2021 and it was perfect to announce on ‘Hotboxin’,” Tyson said. “Stay tuned: We’ve got a lot of big things coming.”
Randy Couture's Girlfriend Mindy Robinson Confronts Senator Lindsey Graham
Earlier this week, supporters of President Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol which has caused a reaction and opinion from seemingly everyone, including UFC legend Randy Couture's girlfriend Mindy Robinson.
Senator Lindsey Graham blamed the entire attack on the controversial President:
“As to yesterday: it breaks my heart that my friend, a president of consequence would allow yesterday to happen and it will be a major part of his presidency,” Graham told reporters. “It was a self-inflicted wound. It was going too far.”
The remarks from Graham contradict previous comments when she's backed the President. In steps UFC legend Randy Couture's girlfriend Mindy Robinson to call out the longtime Senator.
Robinson posted the following video on Twitter, confronting Graham:
Lindsey Graham just made the mistake walking by me and a mass of angry patriots at the airport in DC.
— Mindy Robinson ---- (@iheartmindy) January 8, 2021
All America wants is for you to AUDIT OUR VOTE and purge this election of this massive corruption...and you won’t do it. We’re not letting this “slide” so expect more of this. pic.twitter.com/pbemr2Gcr9
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