Sergio Pettis seems like he’s been here before.
As he prepares to deal with Irregular Mix at Bellator 301 in what might be Bellator’s last program, Pettis is advised of among his last UFC flyweight battles in 2019. At the time, he was riding high after beating multi-time UFC title opposition Joseph Benavidezand he understood a win would likely put him in title contention.
His increase up the ranks ran parallel to reports that the UFC was potentially discarding the whole 125-pound department. Numerous prominent fighters– consisting of future champ Brandon Moreno — had actually all of a sudden been launched from the promo.
Paramount, the moms and dad business to Bellator, has actually remained in talks for months about offering the promo; its subsidiary, Showtime, is shuttering the whole sports department at the end of this year. That leaves Pettis and practically everyone else at Bellator stuck in limbo, without any genuine concept what takes place after Friday’s occasion.
“I seem like I remained in this scenario in the past,” Pettis informed MMA Fighting. “When I remained in the flyweight department for the UFC and I was battling Jussier Formigaand I discovered like 2 days before I battled him that the UFC was considering eliminating the entire flyweight department.
“It shook off my mindset. I resembled, ‘Why do I even appreciate winning this battle if I’m not even going to have the ability to get a shot at the title?’ I seem like I’ve gained from that.”
The UFC never ever eliminated the department, however the damage was currently provided for Pettis, who lost a consentaneous choice to Formiga.
That’s why Pettis declines to let concerns about Bellator’s future sidetrack him from the job at hand. He’s about to deal with a challenger with an 18-1 record, consisting of 13 surfaces. Mix simply destroyed Pettis’ colleague, Raufeon Stotswith a blistering 80-second knockout.
“None of that s *** matters to me,” Pettis stated. “Whatever occurs with Bellator occurs. I’m their champ. I’m happy to be their champ. I intend on still being the champ after this Friday night.”
If there’s a favorable spin to Bellator’s pending doom, it’s that Pettis discovers himself in an useful position with 6 straight wins, 5 of them at bantamweight. He got Patricio Pitbullwho is commonly thought about the Bellator GOAT, in uneven style.
Now Pettis looks to include Mix to his win column. His present promo might remain in hazard, however he feels great he’ll arrive at his feet no matter what takes place.
“I believe this win over Patchy this weekend opens a lot more doors for me,” Pettis stated. “That was the entire objective. As quickly as I left the UFC, they’re informing me I require to end up being a champ somewhere else for numbers and all that additional things. I stopped appreciating that.
“I’m simply taking it combat by battle. Having a good time. I’m in this for the long run. Wherever I wind up, I wind up. I’m still going to be the very best martial artist I can be which’s all I can be in control of.”
To contribute to that, Pettis simply recently commemorated his 30th birthday, and he seems like he’s recently beginning to reach his complete capacity, which is frightening to believe considering the record he’s currently collected in his profession.
“I’m a late bloomer,” Pettis stated with a laugh. “I have not revealed my complete ability. I have not revealed whatever I have. These next 5 years, I actually intend on leaving my mark on the sport and turning into one of the very best to do it.
“I was really doing the mathematics just recently of the last 4 guys I combated and I believe [their combined records were] like 127 wins and 19 losses. It’s insane. It’s all coming together. I’m actually delighted for this Friday. This is whatever I desired.”
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