Tag: Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis: This version of ‘Showtime’ is the one that should’ve been seen in 2021

Anthony Pettis is confident the version of himself on display to open his 2022 PFL season is the real deal.

ARLINGTON, Texas – [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] is confident the version of himself on display to open his 2022 PFL season is the real deal – and not the one who fizzled out quickly in his first PFL season in 2021.

Pettis (25-12) forced Myles Price (11-8) to tap to a first-round mounted triangle choke Friday at the PFL’s third event of the regular season. In 2021, he lost both his fights. But a first-round finish Friday got him 6 points, meaning a win in his second fight, no matter how, would have him nearly assured a playoff spot.

Pettis said the newness of the PFL’s season and playoff format was something he wasn’t prepared for in 2021 after signing as a free agent after years in the UFC, including as its lightweight champion.

“Last year was all new for me – coming to a whole new organization, a lot of adjustments were made,” Pettis said in his post-fight news conference in Arlington, Texas. “But I just refocused. I’ve been here before. I’ve had (multiple) losses in a row before. I know how to redo it. I just had a baby, so I have a lot of motivation this camp.

“… Last year, last season, I didn’t put in the right amount of work. I tried to attune my training camp for a full-season fight. That’s not how this thing works. The season format is totally different than how I was used to. I feel like the training gives me the confidence that I had in there. … Last year, I definitely underestimated what I was getting myself into.”

Pettis said he was tempted to be flashy against Price, but thought better of it in the moment. Instead, after some adversity from his opponent, he found a way to lock up his finish.

And even though he says he wasn’t going to go after typical “Showtime” moves, a mounted triangle choke might amount to something almost in that vein, anyway.

Still, Pettis said he will stay focused on being read for his second regular season fight, knowing the two fighters who beat him in 2021 sit just behind him in the standings.

“I’m not going to get big-headed,” Pettis said. “(I’m going to) go right back into camp. I’ve got three more fights to win, and I’ve got two tough dudes in front of me: Clay Collard and (Raush Manfio), and I want both of them guys.”

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2022 PFL 3: Best photos from Arlington

Check out these photos from 2022 PFL 3 which took place at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Check out these photos from 2022 PFL 3 which took place at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photos courtesy of Cooper Neill, PFL)

2022 PFL 3 results: Anthony Pettis squeezes Myles Price into submission

Anthony Pettis picked up his first promotional win when he defeated Ireland’s Myles Price in Round 1.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] has his first PFL win in the bag.

While it took him three tries, Pettis (25-12) kicked off his 2022 season with a victory Friday at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, when he submitted Ireland’s [autotag]Myles Price[/autotag] (11-8) at 4:17 of Round 1.

In the opening seconds, Pettis connected on a rocking punch that sent Price to the canvas. Price survived, but Pettis was on top. From there, Pettis worked and worked while he maintained strong top control. Eventually, Price tried to sneak out from under Pettis – but Pettis used it to his advantage.

Pettis shifted to the bottom, but rolled Price right into a triangle choke submission. From there, he adjusted and readjusted. Pettis rolled Price and ended up on tap. There, Pettis secured a tight squeeze, a tap, and a win.

With the win, Pettis wins for the first time since his final UFC fight, which took place in December 2020 against Alex Morono. During the 2021 PFL season, Pettis didn’t qualify for the playoffs because he earned zero points and two losses to Clay Collard and eventual-champion Raush Manfio.

As for Price, he falls to 3-2 in his most recent five. 2022 PFL 3 marked the first in-cage competition for Price since February 2019. Prior to his PFL debut Friday, Price competed for Bellator, Brave CF, and Cage Warriors among other notable promotions.

The up-to-the-minute 2022 PFL 3 results include:

  • Anthony Pettis def. Myles Price via submission (mounted triangle) – Round 1, 4:17
  • Rory MacDonald def. Brett Cooper via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:23
  • Larissa Pacheco def. Zamzagul Fayzallanova via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
  • Dilano Taylor def. Joao Zeferino via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Genah Fabian def. Julia Budd via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Sadibou Sy def. Nikolay Aleksakhin via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
  • Jarrah Al-Silawi def. Gleison Tibau via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Olena Kolesnyk def. Abigail Montes via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Martina Jindrova def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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2022 PFL 3 faceoffs video: Kayla Harrison vs. Marina Mokhnatkina, Anthony Pettis, Rory MacDonald, more

Watch the pre-fight staredowns and check out the photo gallery from the 2022 PFL 3 weigh-ins.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Fighters competing at 2022 PFL 3 went face-to-face at ceremonial weigh-ins ahead of their bouts on Friday.

The 2021 PFL champion [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (12-0) squared off with [autotag]Marina Mokhnatkina[/autotag] (6-2) Thursday. The two competitors are set to meet in the main event of Friday’s event, capping off the first event of the season including the women’s lightweight division.

In the co-main event, 2021 welterweight champion [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] (24-7-1) will face PFL Challenger Series newcomer [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag] (16-3) to close out the first event featuring 170-pound fighters.

The main card for PFL Championship airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ at 9 p.m. ET following the prelims on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET.

Check out the pre-fight faceoffs in the video above and the photo gallery from the weigh-ins below.

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Photos: 2022 PFL 3 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the 2022 PFL 3 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Check out these images from the 2022 PFL 3 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photos by Matthew Wells, MMA Junkie)

2022 PFL 3 weigh-in results: Two fighters, including two-time champ, come in heavy

The weigh-ins are in the books for the PFL’s third event of the season, but not everyone hit the mark for Friday’s bouts.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The weigh-ins are in the books for the PFL’s third event of the season, and there was some drama on the scales.

The event features welterweights and women’s lightweights, including 2021 champions [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag]. Former UFC champion [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] also competes on the card against [autotag]Myles Price[/autotag] in the lone men’s lightweight bout.

Harrison (12-0) weighed in at 155 pounds and her opponent, [autotag]Marina Mokhnatkina[/autotag] (6-2) stepped on the scale at 154.2 pounds, making the main event bout official.

The co-feature bout was met with issues, as two-time welterweight season winner Cooper III (24-7-1) came in heavy at 176.4 pounds. He will be deducted one point in the welterweight standings and cannot earn points, regardless of the outcome of his bout on Friday. His opponent, [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag] (16-3) made weight, recording 169.9 pounds.

[autotag]Genah Fabian[/autotag] also had troubles on the scale, as she weighed in at 160.8 pounds for her lightweight bout against [autotag]Julia Budd[/autotag]. Fabian (4-2) will also lose a point and cannot earn points regardless of the result of the bout. Budd (16-3) made weight at 154.4 pounds.

The 11-fight PFL 2022, Week 3 event takes place Friday at Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

The complete 2022 PFL 3 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Kayla Harrison (155) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (154.2)
  • Ray Cooper III (176.4) vs. Carlos Leal (169.6)
  • Anthony Pettis (155.4) vs. Myles Price (154.8)
  • Rory MacDonald (171) vs. Brett Cooper (169.8)
  • Larissa Pacheco (155.4) vs. Zamzagul Fayzallanova (153.4)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Dilano Taylor (170.6) vs. Joao Zeferino (170.8)
  • Julia Budd (154.4) vs. Genah Fabian (160.8)
  • Nikolay Aleksakhin (170.2) vs. Sadibou Sy (170.8)
  • Jarrah Al-Silawi (170) vs. Gleison Tibau (169.6)
  • Olena Kolesnyk (155.2) vs. Abigail Montes (154)
  • Martina Jindrova (155.4) vs. Vanessa Melo (155.8)

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Jeremy Stephens drawing from PFL debut setbacks of former UFC champs Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum

Jeremy Stephens paid close attention to the PFL debuts of fellow former UFC fighters and used their experiences as a teaching point.

[autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] is well aware of the struggles former UFC fighters have experienced under the PFL banner.

At 2022 PFL 1, Stephens will make his debut against Clay Collard following his exit from the UFC, the place he called home since 2007. After 33 fights over 14 years, Stephens is entering the next chapter of his career with the PFL, and will carry the lessons learned from watching a pair of former UFC champions in their debuts with the promotion.

“Lil’ Heathen” is the latest of a few UFC veterans to make the switch to the promotion. Some have seen success, such as [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag], who became champion in 2021, but other high-profile signees struggled to secure victories in their debuts, such as former UFC champions [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag]. It’s something that Stephens is aware of and has used to stay grounded ahead of his own debut in PFL.

“The thing about MMA is I can draw from their experience,” Stephens told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference on Monday. “I can draw from Anthony’s experience inside the PFL. You know, he was getting paid a lot of money. I feel like they paid him too much dough and he sat back and thought he was gonna win on intimidation. That’s the experience that I’ve drawn from, something that I’ve learned. I’m fully prepared and in a very good battle with a game opponent.”

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Pettis couldn’t get it going against Collard in his debut at 2021 PFL 1, dropping a unanimous decision. Werdum’s PFL debut initially was ruled a knockout loss to Renan Ferreira at 2021 PFL 3, but after review by the commission, was overturned to a no contest.

Stephens believes his name and his track record inside the cage won’t mean much as he prepares to fight Collard on Wednesday. He plans to bring the same intensity he typically does while ensuring he has done everything possible to prepare for the bout.

“That’s all I need,” Stephens said. “I’m not one of these guys that’s going to sit back and think my highlight tape is going to scare people. That’s just not the case. I’m very well prepared and there’s really nothing more to do. I can’t really speak on anything, just watch how my actions show up on Wednesday.”

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Kayla Harrison’s first fight of 2022 headlines PFL 3; Rory MacDonald, Anthony Pettis on card

Fresh off her new PFL deal, Kayla Harrison is back in a headlining spot.

Fresh off signing a new PFL contract, [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] is back in a headlining spot.

Harrison (12-0) will face [autotag]Marina Mokhnatkina[/autotag] (6-2) in the women’s lightweight main event of 2022 PFL 3 on May 6 at Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas, the promotion announced Tuesday. The event will air on ESPN 2 and stream on ESPN+.

Harrison, a two-time PFL champion, explored free agency after winning her second title last October, but she ultimately re-signed with the PFL. The unbeaten two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka finished Mariana Morais, Cindy Dandois, Genah Fabian, and Taylor Guardado in the final to win the title.

Mokhnatkina, a Fight Nights Global and Bellator veteran, made her successful PFL debut last August when she defeated Claudia Zamora by unanimous decision in what was the combat sambo champion’s lightweight debut.

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Co-headlining PFL 3 will be former Bellator welterweight champion and ex-UFC title challenger [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] (22-8-1), who takes on veteran [autotag]Brett Cooper[/autotag] (28-15). MacDonald, 32, will kick off his second PFL season after going 1-2 last year.

Former UFC and WEC lightweight champ [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag]’ (24-12) originally scheduled bout with [autotag]Myles Price[/autotag] (11-7) has been rescheduled from PFL 1 on April 20 to PFL 3.

The 2022 PFL 3 lineup includes:

  • Kayla Harrison vs. Marina Mokhnatkina
  • Ray Cooper III vs. Magomed Umalatov
  • Anthony Pettis vs. Myles Price
  • Rory MacDonald vs. Brett Cooper
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Joao Zeferino
  • Genah Fabian vs. Julia Budd
  • Sadibou Sy vs. Nikolai Aleksakhin
  • Larissa Pacheco vs. Zamzagul Fayzallanova
  • Gleison Tibau vs. Jarrah Al Silawi
  • Olena Kolesnyk vs. Abigail Montes
  • Vanessa Melo vs. Martina Jindrova

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Anthony Pettis meets Myles Price in 2022 PFL season opener on April 20

After going winless in his first PFL season, Anthony Pettis will seek another shot at the lightweight title.

After going winless in his first PFL season, [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] will seek another shot at the lightweight title.

The former WEC and UFC lightweight champion will face [autotag]Myles Price[/autotag] at 2022 PFL 1, which takes place April 20 at Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas and streams on ESPN+ and ESPN, promotion officials announced Tuesday.

Pettis (24-12), who parted ways with the UFC in December 2020 on a two-fight winning streak, was upset by Clay Collard in his PFL debut last April. He then faced eventual tournament winner Raush Manfio in June, but suffered another setback when he was edged out by split decision to end his season.

Ireland’s Price (11-7) will be making his PFL debut. Winner of three of his past four, the 33-year-old hasn’t competed since defeating Peter Queally by split decision at Bellator 217 in February 2019.

The 2022 PFL 1 lineup includes:

  • Raush Manfio vs. Don Madge
  • Anthony Pettis vs. Myles Price
  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Delan Monte
  • Clay Collard vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Josh Silveira vs. Emiliano Sordi
  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. opponent TBA
  • Teodoras Aukstuolis vs. Marthin Hamlet
  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Viktor Pesta
  • Bruce Souto vs. Rob Wilkinson
  • Alex Martinez vs. Stevie Ray

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Twitter reacts to Kayla Harrison’s dominant win, Anthony Pettis’ narrow loss at 2021 PFL 6

Two of PFL’s biggest names – Kayla Harrison and Anthony Pettis – had different results in their regular season finales at 2021 PFL 6.

Two of PFL’s biggest names – [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] – had different results in their regular season finales at 2021 PFL 6.

Pettis (24-12), the former UFC and WEC champion, fell to 0-2 under the PFL banner when he dropped a split decision to Raush Manfio (13-3) in the lightweight season finale, which co-headlined the show at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

Harrison (10-0), meanwhile, continued to dominate in her career, dispatching of Cindy Dandois (16-7) with a first-round armbar to stay undefeated and continue her question toward a second women’s lightweight crown.

Check out the top Twitter reactions to the notable results from 2021 PFL 6.

Anthony Pettis’ loss