Sergio Pettis seemed like a natural champ at Bellator 297. But was his win really that easy? How much hard work did “The Phenom ” put in to defend his title on Friday? Continue reading to find out!
Despite being a title challenger, Pettis’ rival enjoyed the real limelight in the build-up to their fight. It seemed as though Patricio Freire was the star at Winstar Arena while the real champion wasn’t in the spotlight as much as usual.
Additionally, Pettis agrees that he may have given in to some uncertainty, though it wasn’t unusual for him to feel that way before the bout.
Pettis had told his girl that if he lost to anyone, it would be acceptable to lose to Patricio ‘Pitbull’ since he was a legend. He clarified that he didn’t predict losing but had various conflicts in his mind. He admitted feeling nervous, scared, and experiencing a range of emotions. Pettis mentioned that he had been away from competing for a while, so he had somewhat forgotten how it all felt. He compared his situation to Nate Diaz’s, stating that he was quite surprised at that.
Pettis spoke openly about his current struggles with anxiety and depression in interviews before the match. Due to Pettis’ knee injury and recovery during the previous year, the issues have received extra attention.
A man may seem tough on the outside, but who knows how alone and afraid he may be on the inside?
Despite all the fuss, Pettis scored by unanimous decision against Freire (35-6 MMA, 23-6 BMMA). Since the injury, Pettis’ career path has been stable and clear for the first time. Patchy Mix, the interim bantamweight champion, will be his next opponent, although the time and place are yet to be confirmed.
Pettis expressed his excitement, stating that his career currently seems well-positioned. He mentioned that the previous year had lacked any goals or plans for him, only focused on recovery. However, he now looks forward to the upcoming match against Patchy Mix.
Pettis acknowledged that he had been away from the sport for 18 months and expressed satisfaction with his performance upon his return. He mentioned that he had not yet had the opportunity to watch it himself. However, he believed it had gone well based on his perception. And he hoped that the fans had also found it well enough.
Sergio Pettis surely made quite a comeback after his 18-month-long hiatus. And with this win, hopefully, he will get the recognition and attention he deserves.
Will Pettis be able to continue with the career path he has set up for himself? Will he be able to overcome his struggles with self-doubt and worry? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section!
