Why did Anthony Pettis leave the UFC? Breaking down reasons behind 'Showtime's' exit from the promotion

Anthony Pettis is making his mark in the squared circle, having already secured a majority decision win against boxing icon Roy Jones Jr. in his professional debut in April 2023. He is now set to face Chris Avila in his sophomore ring appearance this Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. This bout is part of a highly anticipated card headlined by Nate Diaz versus Jorge Masvidal.

Once a shining star in the UFC, 'Showtime' made the surprising decision to exit the world's premier MMA promotion. While his departure puzzled many fans, the reasons behind his choice to move on remain largely unknown to the public.

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Why did Anthony Pettis leave the UFC?

Anthony Pettis is a former UFC and WEC champion, once recognized as one of the most popular mixed martial artists of his era. Renowned for his dynamic fighting style, 'Showtime' blends remarkable athleticism with relentless aggression, always posing a threat to finish a fight at any moment.

'Showtime' has competed across featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight divisions, holding the UFC 155-pound title from August 2013 to March 2015 before losing it to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185. Following that defeat, Pettis' career never fully regained its momentum. While he did achieve notable victories against fighters like Jim Miller and Stephen Thompson, he struggled to string together a consistent winning streak.

The 37-year-old Milwaukee native returned to the 170-pound division in May 2020, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 249. Later that year, in December, Pettis defeated Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 17. However, it was known beforehand that this fight would be the final one on his UFC contract.

However, 'Showtime' later revealed his decision on Twitter (now X) to leave the UFC after a decade-long tenure, choosing to explore new opportunities as a free agent.

Check out Anthony Pettis' post below:

Following his departure from the UFC, Pettis announced in December that he would be joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and competing in its 2021 season. In an interview on What the Heck (via MMA Fighting), the former UFC lightweight champion explained that the PFL offered him an opportunity that other organizations couldn't match.

Pettis made his PFL debut against Clay Collard in April 2021 but lost the fight via unanimous decision. Unfortunately, his new venture didn't yield the success he had hoped for, resulting in a 1-4 promotional record.