Highlights: Plump Anthony Pettis drops decision to Chris Avila on Diaz vs. Masvidal undercard

In their undercard fight on the Diaz vs. Masvidal: Last Man Standing card, Anthony Pettis found himself slightly lacking in speed while Chris Avila displayed a touch of finesse.

Avila dominated the fight against Pettis, winning with scores of 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55 after six rounds. As a training partner of Nate Diaz, Avila showcased his superior activity in the ring, constantly peppering Pettis with punches. Although Pettis didn’t appear greatly affected by the onslaught, it did hinder his performance, earning Avila the victory. With impressive footwork, defensive skills, and head movement, Avila clearly outclassed his opponent with his boxing abilities.

The 18,000 fans in attendance weren’t too impressed with the fight, which had all of the intensity of a sparring match (that cost $550,000). Both Avila and Pettis weighed in at 175 pounds, and the extra weight on their frames didn’t seem to help their speed or stamina much. The fight fell into a predictable trudge which led the crowd to boo semi-regularly.

The loss puts Pettis at 2-1 over his last three: “Showtime” shocked the world by winning a decision over Roy Jones Jr. last year, and then beat Benson Henderson in a Karate Combat fight. Prior to that he washed out of the PFL 2022 season, losing twice to Stevie Ray.

Pettis was rumored to have a potential fight with Cedric Doumbe in the PFL, and the ex-UFC lightweight champion hinted at even more challenging bouts against highly accomplished boxers. It remains intriguing to witness how this lackluster defeat will impact those future prospects.