Sergio Pettis had just become the Bellator bantamweight champion three months ago, and he was all set to participate in a grand prix tournament that could have cemented his position among the best fighters in the 135-pound category. But then fate had other plans.

Just before his game against his friend and occasional teammate Raufeon Stots, Pettis endured a crippling knee injury that put him out of the tournament’s running and necessitated surgery, which would keep him out for over a year. It was an unfortunate setback for the 29-year-old veteran.

“The first couple of months were depressing, I’m not going to lie,” Pettis told. “I couldn’t do what I’m accustomed to doing. I went from preparing for a fight to sitting at home, not moving.”
Though it took a while, Pettis was able to gain a better understanding of the break’s significance after he began recuperating from ACL surgery.

“I got my ACL fixed, and for a while, I couldn’t climb stairs or shower on my own,” Pettis said. “Initially, I was shocked that this was such a significant shift from what I’m accustomed to. But after some time, I realized how critical rehab and recovery are, and I believe it was an excellent reset for me. I’ve been engaged throughout my career for almost twelve years now. Therefore, I believe it was, unfortunately, a necessity. It was necessary for me to go through this and gain knowledge beyond the fighting game.”

Dealing with a severe surgery is never a pleasurable experience, but Pettis stated that this extended break also enabled the rest of his body to recover and heal from minor injuries that fighters generally overlook to stay active.

While it was tough to watch his competitors move forward in the bantamweight division without him, Pettis was eventually delighted that his return was eagerly anticipated – and that he had the huge opportunity to defend his title against the defending Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull.

Pitbull, who had previously held the Bellator lightweight championship titles, is debuting in the 135-pound division for the first time on Friday at Bellator 297, with the hope of becoming a three-division champion.
“Returning and fighting the Bellator GOAT is the best-case scenario,” Pettis said about facing Pitbull.