Sergio Pettis goes from dominated, nearly submitted to a highlight KO win to make strong case for bantamweight world title shot

Magomed Magomedov originally found success through the art of Wushu Sanda, starting it at 13 years old before becoming a Master of Sports and world champion in the discipline. The Dagestani fighter, who has a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt under Ricardo Almeida, is a former regional bantamweight champion who has found success with his 21-4 pro record. Magomedov made his PFL debut in June, coming over from Bellator, scoring a decision win over Sarvarjon Khamidov.

Sergio Pettis began training Taekwondo at the age of 5 before transitioning over to MMA as a teenager. Pettis, who has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo and the Roufusport Striking System, is the former Bellator bantamweight champion, with notable wins over the likes of Patricio Pitbull, Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, Brandon Moreno, and Joseph Benavidez. Pettis won a battle of former Bellator champions in his June PFL debut, defeating Raufeon Stots.

Who will come out on top between these two top Bantamweights?

Round 1

Low kick by Magomedov. Pettis with a leg kick. Spinning back kick nearly catches Pettis. Low kick by Magomedov. Magomedov with a spinning back fist. Left jab by Pettis. Magomedov throws the left. Right hand by Pettis. Kick to the body blocked by Pettis. Pettis flashes the right hand a couple of times. Pettis attempts a trip, but it doesn’t work. Hooks from both men. Pettis with a right hand. Pettis nearly connects in full on his own spinning kick. Magomedov with a level change, but it doesn’t work. Pettis misses another spinning kick. Pettis with a low kick.

Pettis with a long jab to snap Magomedov’s head back. Left jab by Pettis. Magomedov doesn’t connect with his left jab. The two exchange. Switch kick from Pettis. Low kick by Magomedov. Outside trip by Pettis to briefly knock Magomedov off his feet. Magomedov with a reach before landing a flying knee. A clinch results in Magomedov scoring a takedown. Right hand and then a left from Magomedov. Knee lands, and the referee declares it clean – never touching Pettis’ head. Pettis gets up and Magomedov lands a knee to the body. Magomedov ends the round on top again because of Pettis’ unsuccessful leg lock attempt.

Round 2

Cartwheel kick misses for Magomedov. Pettis body kick is caught. Pettis tries to turn it into a leaping wheel kick, but Magomedov brings him right down. Pettis tries a rubber guard and tries to scramble, but Magomedov has a strong top position on him. Magomedov lands with the left hand. Magomedov gets a body triangle in and gets to the back. Magomedov is threatening a choke. He was briefly under the chin. Pettis scrambles with less than three minutes to go, but all he’s able to do is get back in guard position.

Magomedov gets back to Pettis’ back and is landing a series of ground strikes. Pettis tries to get back to his feet, but Magomedov brings the body triangle back in. Magomedov pulls back and nearly gets another choke in on Pettis. Magomedov looks to transition into an arm-triangle, but he’s not in the right position. Pettis tries to position, but Magomedov threatens a guillotine. Front choke position now, but then he goes right back to the back. Pettis works his way back to his feet. Magomedov has his back.

Magomedov goes for a flying knee, but Pettis counters with a side kick and a spinning elbow THAT DROPS MAGOMEDOV OUT COLD!!! WOW!!!!

ANOTHER SPINNING ELBOW KO FOR SERGIO PETTIS 😱#RoadToDubai | LIVE NOW | Streaming on the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/AhNzNI5gj2

— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 3, 2025

Sergio Pettis does it again!! Come-from-behind KO!!!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Sergio Pettis defeats Magomed Magomedov by 2nd round KO (spinning back elbow, 4:31) in a Bantamweight (135) Showcase Bout.