Sergio Pettis is about to enter enemy territory.
Sadly for the youthful Pettis brother, Sergio’s Bellator bantamweight title reign got here to an finish in his final struggle in opposition to Patchy Combine at Bellator 301 in November. Pettis, 30, loved a three-fight stretch because the divisional kingpin, defending his throne efficiently twice in big-time matchups in opposition to Kyoji Horiguchi and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. The primary of which was an all-time comeback with the kind of knockout solely a Pettis may pull off.
Tasked with former Bellator and RIZIN bantamweight champion Horiguchi, Pettis was compelled to struggle from behind in his first tilt as champion. Uncomfortably down on the scorecards getting into the championship rounds, Pettis threw a missed head kick that he changed into a spinning again fist to close the lights off for the all-time Japanese nice. The pair will now run issues again however this time contained in the RIZIN ring at RIZIN 47 subsequent weekend (Solar., June 9, 2024).
“I imagine the tempo shall be greater, it’s gonna be much more tense,” Pettis informed MMA Mania on BROADENED HORIZIN. “The ring normally is gonna be a bit totally different. I don’t assume he’ll have the ability to transfer in addition to he did within the cage as within the ring. I really feel we’re gonna be compelled to struggle a bit extra and I’m excited for that. I believe that’s the place I shine probably the most. When individuals attempt to struggle me I’m actually capable of implement my gameplan and my type.
“The soccer kicks, the stomps, having the ability to hit him off my again in my guard and him doing the identical factor to me. It’s just about a avenue struggle inside a hoop in Japan. That sounds fairly superior to me. That’s what I’m right here for, take these alternatives and danger it to get the biscuit. I like bread.”
After Horiguchi parted methods with the UFC in late 2016, he went up from flyweight to have a considerable amount of success at 135 kilos. Nevertheless, in late 2022, he returned to 125 kilos and pursued gold there, which he has since received in RIZIN as of final December (watch highlights).
Pettis was additionally a former flyweight within the UFC, so the choice was offered to him about rematching Horiguchi for the title. The discover was simply too brief for Pettis, main them to struggle once more at bantamweight. In the end, Pettis is at all times trying so as to add the trophies to his mantle so relying on how this struggle goes, possibly a trilogy for the title may current itself.
“We’ll see how issues go. I’d prefer to take his belt, that will be superior,” Pettis mentioned. “Getting the RIZIN belt, that’ll cement my legacy, and the Pettis final identify normally may have rattling close to all of the belts. UFC, WEC, Bellator, RIZIN, s—t, possibly PFL. There are some issues which can be in retailer these couple years for me.”
Whatever the outcomes, Pettis goals to be energetic within the the rest of 2024. It’s higher to begin late than by no means, and the previous champion hopes by the point 2025 comes round, he’ll be again in title struggle talks whether or not for the aforementioned flyweight belt or at bantamweight.
“My purpose is three fights,” Pettis mentioned. “Beginning a bit bit later within the 12 months so attending to struggle June 9 for the primary time. I’m simply planning on hopefully being wholesome, taking good care of my restoration, and staying energetic for these subsequent legs, finish of the 12 months. Hopefully, I get one thing in like September then possibly struggle once more for RIZIN for that New 12 months’s Eve card, or possibly even getting again a title shot once more. There’s at all times that possibility as properly. I really feel I’m like one or two fights from getting again to that belt if crucial.”
Ballot
Who wins the rematch?
Watch the complete episode within the video embedded above, or take heed to it on Spotify.
