Anthony Pettis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anthony Pettis |
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Anthony Pettis in 2016
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| Born | January 27, 1987 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Nickname(s) | Showtime |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| Division | Welterweight (170 lbs) (2008, 2019–2020) Lightweight (155 lbs) (2007–2016, 2017–2018, 2020, 2021–present) Featherweight (145 lbs) (2016) Cruiserweight (2023) |
| Reach | 72+1⁄2 in (184 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Team | Roufusport |
| Trainer | Duke Roufus |
| Rank | 3rd dan black belt in Taekwondo Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Daniel Wanderley |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 39 |
| Wins | 25 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 14 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 3 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Sergio Pettis (brother) |
Anthony Pettis (born January 27, 1987), also known by his nickname "Showtime," is an American professional mixed martial artist (MMA) and professional boxer. He is famous for his exciting and athletic fighting style.
Pettis has competed in several major fighting organizations, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. Before the UFC, he was also the last-ever WEC Lightweight Champion.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Pettis was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has an older brother, Reynaldo, and a younger brother, Sergio Pettis, who is also a professional MMA fighter. His family has roots in Mexico.
He began training in taekwondo and boxing when he was only five years old. By the time he started training in mixed martial arts, he had already earned a 3rd-degree black belt in taekwondo. He also trained in capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music.
Sadly, on November 12, 2003, Pettis's father was killed during a robbery. This difficult event caused Pettis to stop practicing martial arts for a few years. He was later encouraged to become a firefighter and enrolled in a fire academy.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Starting Out
Pettis started training in MMA in 2006 at the Roufusport MMA Academy. He had a perfect 3-0 record as an amateur fighter before turning professional in 2007. He quickly built up an 8–0 record, winning the Gladiator Fighting Series Lightweight Championship before joining a major promotion called World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
Pettis is known for his technical fighting style and amazing athletic moves. He was coached by the famous trainer Duke Roufus at the Roufusport gym.
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC)
Pettis made his WEC debut in June 2009, winning his first fight. After suffering his first-ever loss, he came back strong. In March 2010, he won a fight with a powerful head-kick knockout, which earned him a "Knockout of the Night" award.
His most famous WEC moment came on December 16, 2010, when he fought Benson Henderson for the WEC Lightweight Championship. In the final round, Pettis performed a move that became legendary. He ran up the side of the cage, jumped off, and landed a flying kick on Henderson. This move, now called the "Showtime Kick," helped him win the fight and become the last WEC Lightweight Champion before the WEC merged with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Path to the Title
After the WEC joined the UFC, Pettis was set to become a top star. He lost his first UFC fight but then went on a winning streak. He earned two "Knockout of the Night" awards for his impressive victories against Joe Lauzon and Donald Cerrone.
On August 31, 2013, Pettis got a chance to fight for the UFC Lightweight Championship against Benson Henderson in a rematch. Pettis won in the first round by submission, becoming the new UFC Lightweight Champion.
Reign as Champion and Later Fights
Pettis defended his title once against Gilbert Melendez in December 2014, winning by submission. However, he lost the championship to Rafael dos Anjos in March 2015.
Over the next few years, Pettis fought in different weight classes, including featherweight and welterweight. He had many exciting fights and earned several "Performance of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" awards. One of his most memorable wins was in March 2019, when he knocked out Stephen Thompson with a "superman punch" off the cage. He became the first person to ever knock out Thompson.
His final UFC fight was a win against Alex Morono on December 19, 2020. After this fight, he decided to explore other opportunities.
Professional Fighters League (PFL)
In December 2020, Pettis signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He competed in their 2021 and 2022 seasons. In his first PFL win, he defeated Myles Price by submission in the first round. He fought in the PFL lightweight tournament semifinals in August 2022.
Boxing and Other Ventures
Pettis has also competed in professional boxing. On April 1, 2023, he made his boxing debut against the legendary champion Roy Jones Jr. and won the fight by majority decision.
Outside of fighting, Pettis is a businessman. He co-owns the Roufusport MMA Academy and a sports bar in his hometown of Milwaukee. He has also appeared on the cover of a Wheaties cereal box, becoming the first UFC champion to do so.
Personal Life
Pettis has two daughters. One is from a previous relationship, and the other is with his current partner.
Championships and Awards
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Lightweight Championship (One time)
- Fight of the Night (Two times)
- Knockout of the Night (Two times)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
- Performance of the Night (Three times)
- 2013 Submission of the Year (vs. Benson Henderson)
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Lightweight Championship (One time; last champion)
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (One time)
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- World MMA Awards
- 2018 Fight of the Year (vs. Tony Ferguson)
See also
In Spanish: Anthony Pettis para niños
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of mixed martial artists with professional boxing records
- List of multi-sport athletes
