Raush Manfio went from a backup fighter in the 2021 season of the Professional Fighters League to facing lightweight star Anthony Pettis at Friday night’s PFL 6 in Atlantic City, N.J.
First, Manfio replaced Olivier Aubin-Mercier and defeated Joilton Lutterbach via split decision in April. He earned three points, but was still treated as a replacement. When cards got shuffled again, Manfio was paired up against teammate Natan Schulte, who also happens to be the godfather of his daughter.
Fortunately for him, Pettis fell ill and was forced out of PFL 4 earlier this month, meaning Manfio would be paired up against the former UFC and WEC champion instead of facing a close friend, who fought and beat Alex Martinez.