Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis agrees to join the Professional Fighters League
The former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Pettis won the UFC's 155-pound championship when he submitted Benson Henderson with an armbar in 2013, and defended the belt the following year when he beat Gilbert Melendez with a guillotine choke.
He last fought for the UFC four days ago, winning a decision against Alex Morono at a behind-closed-doors show in Las Vegas, and will now prepare for PFL's seasonal format when the New York-based MMA firm restarts operations in April 2021 following a coronavirus-enforced hiatus this year.
"I am excited to announce that the PFL has signed Anthony Pettis," the CEO of PFL Peter Murray said in a statement sent to Insider.
"Not only is Anthony a transcendent athlete within the sport of MMA, but he is also an innovator in the cage who is known for his charismatic fighting style and determination to win.
"We're very excited for him to join the PFL family," Murray said.
The news was broken by the ESPN MMA reporter Ariel Helwani on Wednesday.
Anthony Pettis has agreed to a new deal with PFL, per multiple sources.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 23, 2020
The former UFC and WEC lightweight champion will be a part of the promotion’s 2021 season and will compete in their lightweight division, sources say.
Pettis joins Rory MacDonald, Fabricio Werdum, and Claressa Shields as other big-name PFL signings who will make their respective debuts in 2021.
Pettis will compete in the lightweight division and could win a $1 million check should he win the company's high-stakes New Year's Eve championship match, after moving through the 2021 season and playoffs.
"I am really looking forward to this next big challenge after signing with the PFL," said Pettis in a statement sent to Insider.
"I'm super impressed with what the PFL has built, how they are growing the sport, and the amazing talent they have added."
Pettis will be in the same division as the reigning PFL lightweight champion Natan Schulte and Clay Collard, an emergent cult hero in boxing because of his fan-friendly performances throughout the pandemic.
"I've been watching the Brazilian guy Schulte who is the champion and he is really good but there isn't anyone I'm scared of," Pettis said.
"The season format is great; I think it will be an amazing journey for me and to get to wrap it up over the course of one year will be awesome.
"I can't wait to get another world championship to add to my collection."
The fights will take place at a Caesars Entertainment property in Las Vegas like Caesars Palace or Rio, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Read more:
SEE ALSO: POWER RANKED: The 15 best boxers in the world right now
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: New Jersey's iconic sloppy joe is made with Russian dressing and cold cuts