Report - Ex-UFC Champion Anthony Pettis Pens Multi-Fight Deal With The PFL

Mandatory Credit: Mike Roach - Zuffa LLC

Former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis has signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) -- after he called an end to a twelve-year stay under the Zuffa LLC banner last night. Pettis is slated to feature in the promotion's lightweight division and their 2021 million dollar tournament.

Pettis, who last featured at UFC Vegas 17 in a featured preliminary pairing opposite Sayif Saud trainee, Alex 'The Great White' Morono, added the grappler to a prior 2020 victory over two-time foe, Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone. The matchup with Morono marked Pettis' final fight on his Octagon deal. Sources close to Ross Markey MMA confirmed Pettis' signature with the promotion following an initial report from ESPN MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani. 

The 33-year-old had voiced his interest in a return to his former lightweight stomping grounds following his unanimous judging victory over Morono in December, as well as his willingness to score a rematch with the recently faltering former interim champion, Tony 'El Cucuy' Ferguson following their exciting back-and-forth at UFC 229 in October of 2018. 

Parting ways with the Dana White led organization, Pettis links up for the PFL -- who has caught the eye with the recent high-profile additions of decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace and former UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio 'Vai Cavalo' Werdum, as well as two-time Olympic gold medal holder and boxing titleholder, Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields.

A twenty-fight Octagon veteran, Pettis initially debuted with a decision defeat against former Strikeforce lightweight titleholder, Clay 'The Carpenter' Guida, before knocking back Jeremy Stephens, Joe Lauzon, and the aforenoted, Cerrone on his way to a title-winning effort against two-time foe, Benson 'Smooth' Henderson. 

In his sole successful title defence, Pettis submitted another former world champion, Gilbert 'El Nino' Melendez with a taut guillotine, before dropping the title to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185 in March of 2015. 

Scoring recent wins over two-time welterweight title challenger, Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson, and The Ultimate Fighter 15 victor, Michael 'The Maverick' Chiesa -- Pettis has seen his record slip to 24-10 -- suffering seven defeats in his last thirteen Octagon outings. 

A renowned striker and submission threat, the Roufusport mainstay has notched eleven knockout victories, as well as a further seven stoppages via submission -- submitting the promotion's most prolific grappler, Charles 'Do Bronx' Oliveira during his brief run toward the featherweight championship.