Sergio Pettis

Sergio Jerome Pettis (born August 18, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed in the Professional Fighters League. Previously, he fought in Bellator, where he competed in the Bantamweight division and became the Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Earlier in his career, Pettis also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), fighting in both Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions. As of April 21, 2026, he is #1 in the PFL bantamweight rankings.

Background Pettis was born to Annette (née Garcia) and Eugene Pettis Jr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with his older brother former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis, who competes in the lightweight division, and oldest brother Reynaldo Pettis, he grew up in the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Pettis' mother is of Mexican descent and his father is of Puerto Rican descent. To escape prejudice, his grandpa Eugenio Pérez anglicised the family name from Pérez to Pettis. Pettis was a student at Pius XI High School.

Pettis' father was fatally stabbed by a robber on November 12, 2003, at a friend's residence.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Pettis turned pro on September 10, 2011, against Kyle Vivian at Canadian Fighting Championship 7. He won via TKO in the first round.

On January 7, 2012, Sergio took on Mike Lindquist at Madtown Throwdown 26. He won via submission in round one.

Pettis fought Tom McKenna at LFC 53. He won via first round submission.

Pettis then took on Tony Zelinski at NAFC: Unleashed. He won via second-round TKO.

Pettis took on Chris Haney at NAFC: Colosseum. He won via unanimous decision.

In his next fight, Pettis defeated Jimmy Jones via unanimous decision at RFA 4-Griffin vs Escudero.

Pettis was originally set to face Matt Manzanares at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 7, but Manzanares was forced out of the bout due to injury. RFA could not find another opponent for Sergio, therefore the bout was scrapped. Pettis is now set to face Josh Robinson at NAFC: Battleground. Pettis improved his record to an unblemished 7–0 with the unanimous decision victory.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance announced that Pettis will take on UFC vet Jeff Curran for the inaugural RFA Flyweight Championship at RFA 8 on June 21, 2013, inside the historic The Rave/Eagles Club Milwaukee, Wisc. Curran was forced out of the bout for personal reasons, RFA President Ed Soares reported that Dillard Pegg will take his place and fight Pettis for the flyweight title. He won via KO in the first round to win the RFA flyweight title.

Pettis faced James Porter for the NAFC Bantamweight Championship, at NAFC: Battle in the Ballroom on September 28, 2013. Pettis won via first round submission and was subsequently signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Pettis was expected to make his promotional debut against Vaughan Lee in a bantamweight bout on November 16, 2013, at UFC 167. A week before the fight Lee was forced out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Will Campuzano. Pettis won the fight via unanimous decision.

In his second UFC bout, Pettis faced Alex Caceres at UFC on Fox 10 on January 25, 2014. He lost the back-and-forth fight via rear-naked choke submission late in the third round. Despite the loss, Pettis won a Fight of the Night bonus award for the bout.

Pettis faced Yaotzin Meza on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pettis faced Matt Hobar on December 6, 2014, at UFC 181. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout also earned Pettis his second Fight of the Night bonus award.

Pettis faced Ryan Benoit in a flyweight bout on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185. After winning the first round, Pettis was dropped by left hook and finished off with a flurry of ground and pound from Benoit in the second round.

Pettis faced Chris Cariaso on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pettis faced Chris Kelades on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197. Pettis won the fight by unanimous decision. Sergio was dominating most of the exchanges and defending takedowns by attacking the neck. He stunned Moraga many times and arguably won all 3 rounds. Pettis called out Jussier Formiga in his post fight interview.

Pettis was expected to face Louis Smolka on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96. However, Pettis pulled out of the fight during the week leading up to the event citing what his trainer described as "a minor injury" and was replaced by promotional newcomer Brandon Moreno.

Pettis was expected to face Jussier Formiga on January 15, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 103. However, Formiga pulled out of the fight in late December and was replaced by John Moraga. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pettis was expected to face Henry Cejudo on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. However, on May 10, Cejudo pulled out of the fight with a hand injury and the bout was canceled.

Pettis faced Brandon Moreno on August 5, 2017, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 114. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

A rescheduled fight with Cejudo took place on December 2, 2017, at UFC 218. Pettis lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Pettis faced Joseph Benavidez on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Pettis faced Jussier Formiga on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. He lost the fight via unanimous decision After the fight, Pettis' head coach Duke Roufus announced that Sergio is returning to the bantamweight division.

Pettis faced Rob Font in a bantamweight bout, on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Pettis was expected to face Ricardo Ramos on June 29, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 3. However, on June 15, 2019, it was reported that Pettis pulled out of the bout due to injury.

Pettis was scheduled to face Alex Perez on September 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 17. However, Perez pulled out of the bout on August 26 citing an injury, and he was replaced by Tyson Nam. Pettis won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pettis was scheduled to face Kai Kara-France on December 14, 2019, at UFC 245. Later, news surfaced that Pettis fought out his contract with his previous fight with Nam, and is testing free agency.

Bellator MMA

On October 24, 2019, it was announced that Pettis signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA. Pettis made his promotional debut at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020, against Alfred Khashakyan. He was victorious via first round technical submission.

Pettis faced Ricky Bandejas on July 24 at Bellator 242. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Bellator Bantamweight Championship Pettis faced Juan Archuleta for the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021. Pettis won the bout and the title by unanimous decision.

Pettis made his first title defense against former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Kyoji Horiguchi on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272. After losing the first three rounds, Pettis came back to win the fight via knockout in round four.

For his second title defense and also the first round bout of the $1 million Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Pettis was scheduled to face Raufeon Stots on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279. However Pettis was forced to pull out of the bout and the Grand Prix after sustaining an injury that required surgery.

Pettis defended the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship against the reigning Bellator Featherweight World Champion Patrício Pitbull on June 16, 2023, at Bellator 297. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Pettis faced interim champion Patchy Mix in a title unification bout on November 17, 2023, at Bellator 301. He lost the bout and the belt, being submitted in the second round via rear-naked choke.

Rizin Fighting Federation Pettis made his MMA debut in Japan on June 9, 2024, as he faced Kyoji Horiguchi in a rematch at RIZIN 47. Pettis lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League In 2025, Pettis made his debut in the Professional Fighters League. He faced Raufeon Stots at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pettis faced Magomed Magomedov at PFL Champions Series 3, on October 3, 2025. He won the bout via knockout in the second round.

Pettis faced Mitch McKee at PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee, on April 11, 2026. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Pettis was scheduled to face Lewis McGrillen on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin. However, Pettis withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Rafael do Nascimento.

Personal life Sergio is the younger brother of Anthony and Rey Pettis. Sergio graduated from Pius XI Catholic High School located in Milwaukee, WI in June 2011. On November 23, 2003, their father, Eugene Pettis Jr. was stabbed to death by a robber at a friend's house.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Bellator MMA

Two successful title defenses Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Alex Caceres & Matt Hobar Resurrection Fighting Alliance RFA Flyweight Championship (One time, First) North American Fighting Championship NAFC Bantamweight Championship (One time) Cageside Press Comeback of the Year 2021 (tied w/Charles Oliveira) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi ESPN 2021 Finish of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi CBS Sports 2021 Bellator Knockout of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi 2021 Bellator Fighter of the Year (tied with A.J. McKee) MMA Junkie 2021 December Knockout of the Month vs. Kyoji Horiguchi 2021 Knockout of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi 2021 Comeback of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi Sherdog 2021 Knockout of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi LowKick MMA 2021 Comeback of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi MMA Sucka 2021 Knockout of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi 2021 Comeback of the Year vs. Kyoji Horiguchi Cageside Press 2021 Comeback of the Year (tied with Charles Oliveira) MMA Fighting 2025 #4 Ranked Knockout of the Year 2025 Third Team MMA All-Star Bleacher Report 2014 #8 Ranked Fight of the Year Uncrowned 2025 #2 Ranked Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mitchell McKee Decision (unanimous) PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Magomed Magomedov KO (spinning back elbow and punch) PFL Champions Series 3

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Win

Raufeon Stots Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2025)

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Kyoji Horiguchi Decision (unanimous) Rizin 47

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Patchy Mix Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 301

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Patrício Pitbull Decision (unanimous) Bellator 297

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Kyoji Horiguchi KO (spinning backfist) Bellator 272

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Juan Archuleta Decision (unanimous) Bellator 258

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Ricky Bandejas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 242

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Alfred Khashakyan Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 238

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Tyson Nam Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Rob Font Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Jussier Formiga Decision (unanimous) UFC 229

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Joseph Benavidez Decision (split) UFC 225

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Henry Cejudo Decision (unanimous) UFC 218

Detroit, Michigan, United States Win

Brandon Moreno Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno

Mexico City, Mexico Win

John Moraga Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Chris Kelades Decision (unanimous) UFC 197

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chris Cariaso Decision (unanimous) UFC 192

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Ryan Benoit TKO (punches) UFC 185

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Matt Hobar Decision (unanimous) UFC 181

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Yaotzin Meza Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Alex Caceres Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Will Campuzano Decision (unanimous) UFC 167

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

James Porter Submission (kimura) North American FC: Battle in the Ballroom September 28, 2013

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Dillard Pegg TKO (punches) RFA 8 June 21, 2013

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Josh Robinson Decision (unanimous) North American FC: Battleground March 29, 2013

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Jimmy Jones Decision (unanimous) RFA 4 November 2, 2012

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tom McKenna Submission (guillotine choke) Legend of Fighting 53 June 16, 2012

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Chris Haney Decision (unanimous) North American FC: Colosseum May 4, 2012

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Mike Lindquist Submission (arm-triangle choke) Madtown Throwdown 26 January 7, 2012

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Tony Zelinski TKO (head kick) North American FC: Unleashed November 18, 2011

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Kyle Vivian TKO (head kick) Canadian FC 7 September 10, 2011

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Professional boxing record