At a time when UFC President Dana White has said that numerous cuts are coming to the promotion’s roster, Anthony Pettis has confirmed he’s about to compete in the final fight on his deal.

Pettis is “not sure” about next steps

The former lightweight champ is set to face Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17 this Saturday. The fight will mark the first time Pettis (23-10) has competed since May, when he outscored Donald Cerrone for the decision win.

Recently the 33-year-old spoke with MMA Junkie, and while doing so, Pettis reported this.

“It is my last fight on the UFC contract,” Pettis said. “Under my current contract. So we’re in negotiations.

Not sure where we’re going from here. My team keeps asking me questions and trying to figure out what’s next, but I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m in such a good spot mentally that I don’t want to fog that vision with what’s next.’

Because if I think about what’s next I’m not in the present moment.”

In theory, this could mean that Petits will be stepping into the Octagon for the final time. But, the decorated fighter says he’s just focused on winning.

“I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I feel like whatever’s supposed to happen as far as where I’m going next or if I’m fighting in the UFC again or if I can make another title run, my performance on Saturday will dictate that,” Pettis said.

“It’s not something I can control. I can’t go in there and meet with guys and say, ‘I’m going to do this.’ My performances are going to dictate what happens next.”

More cuts coming

As noted above, after it was announced Yoel Romero had been let go by the UFC, White reported that as many as 60 cuts are coming to the roster.

“I think that the UFC is a great business,” Pettis said. “I’ve been part of this company for 12 years almost now.

I’ve seen every stage of this company and I’ve been on the top of the top when I was getting on Wheaties box and was world champion.

I’ve been fighting for my job when I had a three-loss losing streak from Rafael dos Anjos to Eddie Alvarez to Edson Barboza.

I’ve been on the chopping block for a long time where if I let that mindset play in, there’s no coming back from that because that’s what you focused on.

It’s a blessing for me to have this mindset right now with all the news about cuts and going to different promotions. I don’t feel pressure for that right now.”

So, it will be interesting to see if we see Pettis return to the Octagon after Saturday. The fighter joined the UFC, via the WEC, all the way back in 2011.

But, given the UFC’s push to add younger and cheaper fighters from Dana White’s Contender Series, one might be tempted to say no. For his UFC 249 bout with Cerrone, Pettis was paid $310,000.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: