Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has decided the future is bigger, not smaller.
Pettis, who once fought at featherweight in hopes of reclaiming UFC glory, will take on former welterweight title contender Stephen Thompson Saturday night in the main event of UFC Fight Night 148 from Nashville, Tennessee. The card streams entirely live on ESPN+.
For “Showtime,” the move is one much needed as he grows older.
Pettis was never really a “small” lightweight, and when he opted to move down to 145 pounds, he appeared to be a shell of his former self. That was never more evident than in 2016 when Max Holloway dominated him for two-plus rounds to win the interim UFC featherweight title.
After winning 18 of his first 20 fights, including submissions vs. Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson, Pettis has gone just 3-6 over his last nine with losses to Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier.
Now, as he doesn’t have to concern himself with cutting weight or making weight, Pettis can worry about just being the old Showtime that we saw dominate for several years. Look for that fighter to re-appear on ESPN+ from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
FightLine will have a complete recap, along with any breaking post-event news, Saturday night right here.
Below is the current UFC Fight Night 148: Thompson vs. Pettis fight card:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+/8 p.m. ET)
Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs. Anthony Pettis
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Justin Willis
Lightweight: John Makdessi vs. Jesus Pinedo
Flyweight: Jussier Formiga vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Featherweight: Steven Peterson vs. Luis Pena
Female Flyweight: Maycee Barber vs. JJ Aldrich
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+/5 p.m. ET)
Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Bobby Moffett
Bantamweight: Frankie Saenz vs. Marlon Vera
Female Flyweight: Alexis Davis vs. Jennifer Maia
Strawweight: Randa Markos vs. Angela Hill
Bantamweight: Chris Gutierrez vs. Ryan MacDonald
Flyweight: Eric Shelton vs. Jordan Espinosa