Sergio Pettis can never be counted out.
Tasked with fellow top PFL bantamweight contender Magomed Magomedov on Friday at PFL Dubai, Pettis found himself down in a fight that was primarily defined in the early going by the Russian’s pressure. Magomedov’s opening-round success came from chopping at Pettis’ legs, landing hard right hands, and wearing the former Bellator champ down with takedowns and superior grappling.
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But in Round 2, Pettis (25-7) flipped the script. As Magomedov (21-5) pressed forward, Pettis unleashed a perfectly timed spinning back elbow near the cage. Magomedov instantly folded to the mat, only to eat a crushing follow-up right hand, securing Pettis a spot on the short list for 2025’s Knockout of the Year.
Pettis is no stranger to dramatic come-from-behind knockouts. His biggest career highlight previously came against Kyoji Horiguchi in their December 2021 clash for the Bellator bantamweight title. In a similar comeback fashion, Pettis was down on the scorecards before a stunning spinning backfist disconnected Horiguchi from his senses.
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Following an up-and-down UFC run, the former Bellator champion found his stride in the promotion before PFL acquired it. Along with Horiguchi, Pettis secured notable Bellator wins over Juan Archuleta and Patricio Pitbull. His latest knockout of Magomedov firmly reestablishes Pettis as a bantamweight contender, putting him on his first win streak since he was a champion in 2023. Following the win, Pettis called to fight for the PFL title in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
