A. Pettis makes his PFL debut on April 23. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
One day before his long-awaited debut in the PFL, Anthony Pettis Are you ready for a new career challenge? Former UFC champion, the North American will face Clay Collard this Friday (23), in Atlantic City (USA), in the lightweight tournament (up to 70,3kg.). In an interview with 'Combate', the 'showtime' spoke about his expectations for his debut, his satisfaction with the company, and revealed his desire to face Natan Schult in the final.
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“I definitely want to be the champion at the end of the year. It's certainly fair, whoever is the best will be the champion. This is how it should be. You don't have to wait and build your name and fight forever until you get a title shot. I think that's what attracted me, but also because I need to be busy this year. I know what my fights are, I will have four fights this year, and at this point in my career that is important for me”, said the athlete.
Ready for the challenge, Pettis guaranteed that the US$1 million (around R$5,4 million) prize awarded to the tournament champion was not the main point in the agreement with the PFL. Showing gratitude to the company that opened its doors after his departure from the UFC, the athlete explained that respect for athletes was decisive in his decision.
“Money is always good, but they looked after me and I won’t have to wait until the end for a big prize. It's certainly attractive to be able to earn another $1 million on top of what I'm already earning. Who doesn't want $1 million? (But) if you're struggling for money, you're not as hungry as you should be. When money is the main motivation, everything is wrong. And I've been there, I've made millions of dollars per fight. I would face the José Aldo going down a title shot (title fight). I fought for money, I fought for fame, I fought for legacy, I fought for everything at this point. But if the guys are fighting for money, it’s the wrong motivation,” he said.
In a championship full of dangerous athletes, one in specific catches Anthony's attention. For the North American, the final target is the tournament's two-time champion, Brazilian Natan Schult. O 'showtime' guaranteed to know the qualities of the Santa Catarina native and showed excitement for the eventual confrontation.
“I watched the seasons, I saw his skills. I know where he trains, I know his teammates. He's good, he has skills. We’ll probably see him in the finals, if everything goes the way we want,” concluded Pettis.
At 34 years old, Anthony is heading towards his 35th fight as a professional in MMA. UFC lightweight champion between 2013 and 2015, the fighter currently has 24 wins and 10 losses.
Responsible for trying to disrupt Pettis' party, Clay Collard, 28, will also make his PFL debut. Having spent time in Ultimate, the North American has 18 triumphs, eight setbacks and one 'no result' fight.
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