In a weird way, Anthony Pettis’ move down to featherweight led to his eventual move all the way up to welterweight.
Pettis, the former UFC lightweight champion, moved down to featherweight to challenge for the interim title against Max Holloway in 2016. Holloway won via third-round TKO, but Pettis lost more than a fight that night in Toronto. His health was affected for a long time afterward and he might even still be facing the effects.
“At 45, I was really, really bad,” Pettis told MMA Fighting. “I only did it for the title.