Bellator MMA bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis is finally coming into his own as a mixed martial arts star and out of the shadow of his elder brother Anthony Pettis.
Despite making his professional debut back in 2011, Sergio for the longest time felt he was known solely as the younger brother of former World Extreme Cagefighting and Ultimate Fighting Championship king Anthony. It was back-to-back losses against Rob Font and Jussier Formiga in his UFC days that changed things for “The Phenom.”
After exiting the UFC with a win over Tyson Nam, Pettis went on to rack up five consecutive wins under the Bellator banner, which includes three title fights. Pettis returned to action in June after an 18-month layoff due to an ACL surgery and successfully defended his throne against featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Pettis is now scheduled to defend his throne at Bellator 301 on Nov. 17 against Patrick Mix (18-1), who won the Bellator bantamweight grand prix while the champ was forced out of action due to injury.
Going into the clash, “The Phenom” feels he’s finally found his stride as a mixed martial artist and hopes to serve as an example for anyone who’s a “late bloomer.”
The Milwaukee native acknowledged that he wasn’t a very confident individual growing up and also had the burden of being the younger brother of a two-promotion world champion.
“I just want to be an example for everyone who is a late bloomer. I feel like I am a late bloomer, and it took me time to really develop my game, my skill and my confidence,” Pettis declared at the Bellator 301 pre-fight press conference. “Growing up I was not a confident individual and had a lot of anxiety. With that, I was also under my brother’s shadow but in those dark times I was able to learn who I am.”
One person who’s benefitted from Pettis’ progress is his elder brother, who cashed in $122,500 on the Bellator champ’s successful defense against Pitbull.
Pettis’ upcoming opponent, Mix, is riding a five-fight win streak of his own, topped off by a stunning Round 1 knockout over Raufeon Stots in the Bellator GP finals. While Pettis believes this is going to be his toughest test so far, “The Phenom” also promises to bring his best version on fight night.
“We’re going to have to see. You guys have seen this past year, Mix has been submitting and knocking people out. You guys are in for a treat Friday night. This is my toughest test to date. I bring a lot of different looks each time. You guys see that I get better and better every time I go out there. I am a hungry individual and a hungry martial artist and this matchup will bring the best Sergio Pettis you’ve seen.”
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