| Sergio Pettis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sergio Jerome Pettis (1993-08-18)August 18, 1993 (age 32) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Other names | The Phenom |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 134 lb (61 kg; 9 st 8 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (125 lbs) (2012–2019) Bantamweight (135 lbs) (2011–2014, 2018–present) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Team | Roufusport (2007–present)[2][3] |
| Rank | 2nd dan black belt inTaekwondo[4] Black belt inRoufusportKickboxing[4] Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsuunder Daniel Wanderley[5] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 32 |
| Wins | 25 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 16 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Anthony Pettis (brother) |
| Boxing record fromBoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Sergio Jerome Pettis[6] (born August 18, 1993) is an Americanmixed martial artist who is currently signed in theProfessional Fighters League. Previously, he fought inBellator, where he competed in the Bantamweight division and became theBellator Bantamweight Champion. Earlier in his career, Pettis also competed in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), fighting in bothBantamweight andFlyweight divisions. As of January 27, 2026, he is #1 in thePFL bantamweight rankings and as of February 11, 2026, he is #5 in thePFL men's pound-for-pound rankings.[7]
Pettis was born to Annette (née Garcia) and Eugene Pettis Jr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with his older brother former UFC Lightweight ChampionAnthony Pettis, who competes in the lightweight division, and oldest brother Reynaldo Pettis, he grew up in the south side of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[8]
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 atPius XI High School.[9][10]
Pettis' father was fatally stabbed by a robber on November 12, 2003, at a friend's residence.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13] Pettis improved his record to an unblemished 7–0 with the unanimous decision victory.[14]
Resurrection Fighting Alliance announced that Pettis will take onUFC vetJeff Curran for the inaugural RFA Flyweight Championship at RFA 8 on June 21, 2013, inside the historic TheRave/Eagles Club Milwaukee, Wisc.[15] Curran was forced out of the bout for personal reasons, RFA PresidentEd Soares reported that Dillard Pegg will take his place and fight Pettis for the flyweight title.[16] He won via KO in the first round to win the RFA flyweight title.[17]
Pettis faced James Porter for the NAFC Bantamweight Championship, at NAFC: Battle in the Ballroom on September 28, 2013.[18][19] Pettis won via first round submission and was subsequently signed by the UFC.[20]
Pettis was expected to make his promotional debut againstVaughan Lee in a bantamweight bout on November 16, 2013, atUFC 167.[21] A week before the fight Lee was forced out of the bout due to injury and was replaced byWill Campuzano.[22][23] Pettis won the fight via unanimous decision.
In his second UFC bout, Pettis facedAlex Caceres atUFC on Fox 10 on January 25, 2014.[24] He lost the back-and-forth fight via rear-naked choke submission late in the third round. Despite the loss, Pettis won aFight of the Night bonus award for the bout.[25]
Pettis facedYaotzin Meza on June 7, 2014, atUFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[27]
Pettis facedMatt Hobar on December 6, 2014, atUFC 181.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout also earned Pettis his secondFight of the Night bonus award.[29]
Pettis facedRyan Benoit in a flyweight bout on March 14, 2015, atUFC 185.[30] 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.[31]
Pettis facedChris Cariaso on October 3, 2015, atUFC 192.[32] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[33]
Pettis facedChris Kelades on April 23, 2016, atUFC 197.[34] 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.[35]
Pettis was expected to faceLouis Smolka on October 1, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 96.[36] 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.[37][38]
Pettis was expected to faceJussier Formiga on January 15, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 103.[39] However, Formiga pulled out of the fight in late December and was replaced byJohn Moraga.[40] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[41]
Pettis was expected to faceHenry Cejudo on May 13, 2017, atUFC 211.[42] However, on May 10, Cejudo pulled out of the fight with a hand injury and the bout was canceled.[43]
Pettis facedBrandon Moreno on August 5, 2017, in the main event atUFC Fight Night 114.[44] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[45]
A rescheduled fight with Cejudo took place on December 2, 2017, atUFC 218.[46] Pettis lost the fight by unanimous decision.[47]
Pettis facedJoseph Benavidez on June 9, 2018, atUFC 225.[48] He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[49]
Pettis facedJussier Formiga on October 6, 2018, atUFC 229.[50] He lost the fight via unanimous decision[51] After the fight, Pettis' head coach Duke Roufus announced that Sergio is returning to the bantamweight division.[52]
Pettis facedRob Font in a bantamweight bout, on December 15, 2018, atUFC on Fox 31.[53] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[54]
Pettis was expected to faceRicardo Ramos on June 29, 2019, atUFC on ESPN 3.[55] However, on June 15, 2019, it was reported that Pettis pulled out of the bout due to injury.[56][57]
Pettis was scheduled to faceAlex Perez on September 21, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 17.[58] However, Perez pulled out of the bout on August 26 citing an injury,[59] and he was replaced byTyson Nam.[60] Pettis won the fight by unanimous decision.[61]
Pettis was scheduled to faceKai Kara-France on December 14, 2019, atUFC 245.[62] Later, news surfaced that Pettis fought out his contract with his previous fight with Nam, and is testing free agency.[63]
On October 24, 2019, it was announced that Pettis signed a multi-fight deal withBellator MMA.[64] Pettis made his promotional debut atBellator 238 on January 25, 2020, against Alfred Khashakyan.[65] He was victorious via first round technical submission.[66]
Pettis faced Ricky Bandejas on July 24 atBellator 242.[67] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[68]
Pettis facedJuan Archuleta for theBellator Bantamweight World Championship atBellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[69] Pettis won the bout and the title by unanimous decision.[70]
Pettis made his first title defense against formerBellator Bantamweight ChampionKyoji Horiguchi on December 3, 2021, atBellator 272.[71] After losing the first three rounds, Pettis came back to win the fight via knockout in round four.[72]
For his second title defense and also the first round bout of the $1 millionBellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament, Pettis was scheduled to faceRaufeon Stots on April 23, 2022, atBellator 279.[73] However Pettis was forced to pull out of the bout and the Grand Prix after sustaining an injury that required surgery.[74]
Pettis defended theBellator Bantamweight World Championship against the reigningBellator Featherweight World ChampionPatrício Pitbull on June 16, 2023, atBellator 297.[75] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[76]
Pettis faced interim championPatchy Mix in a title unification bout on November 17, 2023 atBellator 301.[77] He lost the bout and the belt, being submitted in the second round via rear-naked choke.[78]
Pettis made his MMA debut in Japan on June 9, 2024 as he facedKyoji Horiguchi in a rematch atRIZIN 47.[79] Pettis lost the bout via unanimous decision.[80]
In 2025, Pettis made his debut in theProfessional Fighters League. He facedRaufeon Stots atPFL 7 on June 27, 2025. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[81]
Pettis facedMagomed Magomedov atPFL Champions Series 3, on October 3, 2025.[82] He won the bout via knockout in the second round.[83]
Sergio is the younger brother ofAnthony and Rey Pettis. Sergio graduated from Pius XI Catholic High School located in Milwaukee, WI in June 2011.[84] On November 23, 2003, their father, Eugene Pettis, Jr. was stabbed to death by a robber at a friend's house.[85]
Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time, Former)| 32 matches | 25 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 16 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 25–7 | Magomed Magomedov | KO (spinning back elbow and punch) | PFL Champions Series 3 | October 3, 2025 | 2 | 4:31 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 24–7 | Raufeon Stots | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 7 (2025) | June 27, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 23–7 | Kyoji Horiguchi | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 47 | June 9, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 23–6 | Patchy Mix | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 301 | November 17, 2023 | 2 | 1:51 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Lost theBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 23–5 | Patrício Pitbull | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 297 | June 16, 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Defended theBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 22–5 | Kyoji Horiguchi | KO (spinning backfist) | Bellator 272 | December 3, 2021 | 4 | 3:24 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Defended theBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 21–5 | Juan Archuleta | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 258 | May 7, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won theBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 20–5 | Ricky Bandejas | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 242 | July 24, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 19–5 | Alfred Khashakyan | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 238 | January 25, 2020 | 1 | 3:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 18–5 | Tyson Nam | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens | September 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | Flyweight bout. |
| Loss | 17–5 | Rob Font | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 | December 15, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 17–4 | Jussier Formiga | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 229 | October 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–3 | Joseph Benavidez | Decision (split) | UFC 225 | June 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 16–3 | Henry Cejudo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 218 | December 2, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | |
| Win | 16–2 | Brandon Moreno | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno | August 5, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 15–2 | John Moraga | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Penn | January 15, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 14–2 | Chris Kelades | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 197 | April 23, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Chris Cariaso | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 192 | October 3, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 12–2 | Ryan Benoit | TKO (punches) | UFC 185 | March 14, 2015 | 2 | 1:34 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 12–1 | Matt Hobar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 181 | December 6, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 11–1 | Yaotzin Meza | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | June 7, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Alex Caceres | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson | January 25, 2014 | 3 | 4:39 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–0 | Will Campuzano | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 167 | November 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | James Porter | Submission (kimura) | North American FC: Battle in the Ballroom | September 28, 2013 | 1 | 2:33 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Return to Bantamweight. Won the NAFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–0 | Dillard Pegg | TKO (punches) | RFA 8 | June 21, 2013 | 1 | 0:51 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Won the inaugural RFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–0 | Josh Robinson | Decision (unanimous) | North American FC: Battleground | March 29, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 6–0 | Jimmy Jones | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 4 | November 2, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Tom McKenna | Submission (guillotine choke) | Legend of Fighting 53 | June 16, 2012 | 1 | 3:52 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 4–0 | Chris Haney | Decision (unanimous) | North American FC: Colosseum | May 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 3–0 | Mike Lindquist | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Madtown Throwdown 26 | January 7, 2012 | 1 | 1:43 | Madison, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Tony Zelinski | TKO (head kick) | North American FC: Unleashed | November 18, 2011 | 2 | 1:59 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Kyle Vivian | TKO (head kick) | Canadian FC 7 | September 10, 2011 | 1 | 1:46 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | Bantamweight debut. |
| 1 fight | 0 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Sabari Jaishankar | UD | 6 | Mar 7, 2025 | Quake Arena,Hyderabad, India |
