Before Bellator 272, Sergio Pettis shows respect and calls Horiguchi a 'true champion'

S. Pettis and K. Horiguchi face each other in the main fight of Bellator 272 (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

With a week to go until the highly anticipated clash against Kyoji Horiguchi, Sergio Pettis showed a lot of respect for the Japanese fighter. In an interview with MMA Junkie, the North American echoed his rival at Bellator 272 and acknowledged that the duel will show who is the 'true champion' of the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg).

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“In my head, that’s how I see it. He was the champion and unfortunately injured his knee and had to vacate the belt. Juan (Archuleta) won by beating Patchy mix and I beat Juan. But at the end of the day this is Horiguchi's belt. I'm kind of taking care of it. This fight will really mean who is the true champion of this division”, acknowledged Pettis.

At 28 years of age, Sergio became bantamweight champion by beating Juan Archuleta, in a unanimous decision by the judges, last May. Hired by Bellator in 2020, the American has won all three of his fights in the organization so far. The 'Phenomenon' has an MMA record of 21 triumphs and five setbacks.