Following a social media exchange that saw Pettis asking fans if he should step up to welterweight to fight Thompson, and Thompson welcoming Pettis to try, MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi confirmed with sources that the two have verbally agreed to fight at 170 pounds on March 23 at a UFC on ESPN+ show in Nashville, Tenn.
Pettis (21-8) has not competed heavier than 170 pounds since prior to making his debut with World Extreme Cagefighting back in June 2009. “Showtime” became one of that promotion’s biggest stars, capturing its lightweight title before later joining the UFC roster and accomplishing that same feat with a submission of Benson Henderson at UFC 164.