Pettis Fights On, Honors Late Coach Roufus

Entering his first fight week without his late coach and mentor Duke Roufus, Sergio Pettis approaches the PFL Chicago main event with a positive outlook. Pettis is scheduled to face Mitch McKee on Saturday at Wintrust Arena. Roufus, a renowned coach, passed away unexpectedly in October at 55. Although the loss remains fresh, Pettis is channeling his grief into motivation, seeing the fight as a chance to demonstrate everything his coach taught him. This philosophy helps keep Roufus's memory alive and pushes Pettis forward.

Pettis, who is 32 years old, views this as a significant career opportunity. He aims to leverage the momentum from his recent highlight-reel knockout against Magomed Magomedov. The bantamweight contender expressed his hunger for a championship, believing he deserves a shot at the PFL's vacant bantamweight title. Pettis is determined to make a strong impression to further his goal of securing another belt.

This contest marks a new chapter for Pettis, who acknowledges the personal challenges while remaining focused on his professional aspirations. He understands the importance of providing for his family and separating his emotional state from his performance in the cage. The fight against McKee is anticipated to be challenging, with Pettis expecting his opponent to test him and aim to make a name for himself.