This past Saturday night, another former UFC star made his debut for Bellator MMA, as Sergio Pettis fought Alfred Khashakyan and got the win via submission.
This was the first time in six years that the former UFC competitor has competed outside of his previous employer. His last pre-UFC fight was against James Porter at NAFC: Battle in the Ballroom in 2013. He got the victory by submission as well. Prior to his debut at Bellator 238, Pettis spoke with
MMA Fighting and reveals why he decided to leave the UFC and venture into a new promotion:
“I’ve always got love for the UFC. I started out there and that was my home. I’m getting older and I figure why not?” Pettis told MMA Fighting.
“Why not take an opportunity? Why not take a risk? Bellator blessed me with a beautiful opportunity. I’m excited to go out and showcase what I’ve got for them. I’m 26 years old, I figured why not make my name a little bit bigger wherever I go.”
Pettis also explains why the bantamweight division within the company is a good fit for him, citing that jumping down to 125 was harder at this point in his age:
“My whole career I was at 135 and I jumped down to 125 in the UFC and then went back up again when the division was being taken away. I’m getting on in years so the weight cut was getting a little tougher. I feel bantamweight’s the right move right now,” Pettis explained.
“I feel like I’m good enough to fight at bantamweight and I don’t need to cut the extra pounds to go to flyweight. Not saying the division wasn’t tough. The division was tough. We saw [Henry] Cejudo come in and beat the No. 1 guy at 135 pounds and take the title. But this is a good opportunity for me.”
Check out the full interview where Pettis talks about the bantamweight division in Bellator, the opportunity the company gave him, and more.