There was a spotlight on former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis as he arrived in the PFL this year with big expectations.
That light was doused on Friday as Pettis lost his second straight PFL fight in his regular-season finale, dropping a split decision to Raush Manfio of Brazil at PFL 6 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Pettis went into the fight knowing a knockout or submission win would secure a playoff spot, and even a decision win would put him in a tiebreaker. He controlled the action early, but as the fight wore on, Manfio grew more aggressive, and in Round 3 he dropped Pettis twice and nearly finished him.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28, with two giving the nod to Manfio (13-3), who secured a playoff spot with the win.
For Pettis (24-12), a 34-year-old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it was his second straight PFL loss, following a unanimous decision defeat against Clay Collard in his debut in April.
Overall, Pettis has lost four of his past six fights, dating back to his time in the UFC, where he held the 155-pound title from 2013 until 2015.
Friday’s PFL card was headlined by two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison, the 2019 PFL women’s lightweight champion, who submitted Cindy Dandois in the first round to remain undefeated.