MILWAUKEE – More than three years after he moved down to flyweight looking for greener UFC pastures, Sergio Pettis is back at 135 pounds.
Unlike his last weight move, he feels a lot better about where he’s headed in advance of a fight against Rob Font (15-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at UFC on FOX 31.
“When I dropped to 125, I was a little bit younger, and more insecure about, ‘Oh, these guys are bigger,'” Pettis (17-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) told MMAjunkie in advance of the FOX-televised card on Saturday at Fiserv Forum. “Now, I’m 25 and I believe in myself and my skillset.”
Old man strength isn’t just the only added benefit to fighting heavier. He’s not wrestling with his immune system from cutting weight. He doesn’t have to worry so much about every calorie that goes in his body.
And, oh yeah, the UFC promotes a bantamweight division. With the flyweights possibly headed for the scrap heap, there are plenty of potential matchups in the future.
Pettis previously went 3-1 at 135 pounds. But as he said, that was earlier in his career. He believes he’s a different fighter now, and 10 pounds isn’t going to put him at a disadvantage.
On Saturday, he’ll face a notable standout in Font, a career bantamweight who’s only fallen short to ranked opposition in the octagon.
“(Bantamweight), there’s more entertainment there,” Pettis declared. “(Flyweight), whatever happens, happens. It’s unfortunate. But if I can adjust and stay in the UFC, I feel like this is where I belong and where I want to stay.
“There’s some bangers at 135, so I like the challenge. I’m here to fight some of the best, and I believe 135 has some of the best.”
Check out the above video to hear Pettis’ thoughts on his upcoming fight and what his future holds. And don’t miss his full interviews below at the UFC Milwaukee open workouts and media day.
And for more on UFC on FOX 31, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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