Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis signs with PFL

A day after he declared he was a free agent, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL.

He will be part of their upcoming “season” format in the lightweight division while saying he wants to compete at welterweight the next season.

“I’m looking to make a run at another world championship, and the PFL format will allow me to do that in 12 months and do it again the following year at 170 pounds. The offer the PFL gave me was extremely fair and they presented it as a partnership. Ready for a new chapter and a fresh start. Gonna be a fun ride,” he said to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.

A partner of ESPN, the PFL will kick off on April 23rd with five events to follow through the end of June. The group didn’t run any events in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Pettis (24-10) defeated Alex Morono by decision in his final UFC fight on Saturday and has won his last two overall, the first winning streak he’s had in four years. He had been with the UFC for nearly a decade.