Sergio Pettis has sustained an injury and will not be competing in the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
CBS Sports first got word that Pettis has been scrapped from the tournament. He was set to put his 135-pound gold on the line against Raufeon Stots in an opening-round title fight at Bellator 279 on April 23. Juan Archuleta will now be taking Pettis’ place against Stots and the two will be fighting for interim gold.
Here’s what Archuleta told CBS Sports about the opportunity:
“I’m very honored, obviously, and excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Archuleta told CBS Sports HQ on Tuesday morning. “There’s more to being a champion than just having the belt, right? When I won the Bellator world title I always knew how to carry myself as a champion. This is just to show that I’m always ready and always in the gym training. When you’re always prepared, you can get the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m ready to get my belt back.
“…Thankfully, for me, I’ve been training since I lost my title. Nothing changes for me. Since I lost my title, I’ve been getting strong and getting ready. Stots is just in the way of me getting my title and getting that million-dollar check I deserve for myself. This is just the first step to a million dollars. Not only that, I get to fight for my world title. One man’s loss is another man’s gain.”
Sergio Pettis Speaks Out On Injury
Sergio Pettis has issued a statement on being pulled from the grand prix due to his injury. He also revealed he’ll need to go under the knife:
Wishing you a speedy recovery, champ!
Here is an update from @sergiopettis on his withdrawal from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix: pic.twitter.com/P2PCwvAyn1
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) March 22, 2022
“Well, Bellator should be announcing today that I’m out the tournament for a million dollars. Sustained an injury last Monday that will put me out for 6-9 months and I’ll be getting my first surgery after years of competing. Just wasn’t meant to be and I’ve come to peace with that. Definitely depressing but I’m ready to get this ball rolling and return ASAP.”
At this time, there is no word on the type of injury Pettis suffered.
