UFC News: Anthony Pettis Bids Adieu To UFC

Anthony Pettis has made up his mind to quit UFC. The fighter will now explore the free agency after rendering 12 years of service to UFC/WEC.

Former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis parts ways with UFC. The 34-year-old made his final appearance at the year’s final event UFC Vegas 17, where he competed and registered a victory over Alex Moreno.

His departure is apparently a result of the non-renewal of the contract, as the bout that was carried out on December 19 was the last one of his contract.

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After 12 years I’ve decided to part ways with the UFC to explore free agency.

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 23, 2020

Anthony Pettis’ UFC Career

Pettis made his official UFC debut in 2011, and before that he was a part of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), which got unified with UFC in 2010. During his 12-year stint in UFC, Showtime came across several formidable competitors.

In his tenure, he has attained a victory over prominent fighters like Charles Oliveira, Michael Chiesa, and Stephen Thompson, who was the main event protagonist of the Pettis’ last card. Moreover, he is 2-0 over the promotion’s veteran Donald Cerrone. He faced Tony Ferguson once and wanted to settle the score with him but, now it seems the rematch is unlikely.

Thank you @ufc @danawhite 🙏👊🤝 pic.twitter.com/pJtBo2Hpxc

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) December 23, 2020

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Anthony Pettis primarily fought in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions in UFC, however, also has Featherweight experience but, faced weight cut issues there. The American professional acquired the Lightweight title on two occasions in his career and both times against the same opponent, Benson Henderson.

Now, as he enters the open market, Bellator MMA may open the doors for him, as it did for Anthony Johnson and Yoel Romero recently. However, the MMA circuit is quite big so, wherever destiny may take him, Anthony Pettis will certainly get a rousing reception.