Peter Petties has been out of competition since June 2022. The former Dana White’s Contender Series, PFL, and BKFC competitor has been out on the sidelines but far from idle. On July 16th, Petties will return to action in a main event spot at APFC 6.
Peter Petties Returns to Action at APFC 6
In life, everything is not always as it seems and the “Why So Serious” MMA fighter gave an inside look to MMASucka as to why that is true especially in his career. Petties signed to Anthony Pettis’ Showtime Group in December and received several fight offers including fights with PFL and Cage Warriors.
“We had a few other opportunities outside of APFC. Uhm, so, we had short notice PFL. We had a Cage Warriors opportunity but the timing just wasn’t right, but when they came with this matchup, the timing actually made sense.”
Petties would go on to discuss why he had such a long layoff, citing issues with his prior management company.
“For me, honestly, [timing] is the biggest thing. . .I left my old management company as well as my old team, uhm, because of just missed opportunities. . .I have had a bunch of fight fall through, where I’ve been told that there is no opponent. So, I will take fights where I am less than ideal. Meaning, short notice or when I’m dealing with injuries or not on my own timing. . .”
The 32-year-old New Jersey native talked about what those types of fights have looked like in his career.
“. . .the affect that [those fights] have on your long term career. Like, I, uhm, have, I think, five split decision losses. I hate to say it, in this fight game, you know, a lot of those come fighting a guy in their hometown, where the crowd is is on their side. And you know, I think its one of those where, [Sean] O’Malley touched on it a year or so ago, its about when you get to this game, you also have to have the right people around you. . .not everyone has your best interest in mind, so, you know, a lot of times, my managers now, I gave them timing, dates. . .so I have a proper camp, that I’m healthy.”
Fighting Injuries and Investing in the Future
Petties commented on two particular fights in which he suffered fight-altering injuries. In his fight with Julio Arce in Dana White’s Contender Series, Petties would suffer an ankle sprain a week before the fight and would reaggravate the injury early in the fight. In his elimination fight with PFL, Petties would suffer a torn labrum—an injury he would fight through for the rest of the 15-minute contest.
Because of these injuries, Petties would take some time to recover but also invest in learning his body. The Wu-Tang Shaolin fighter would enroll in Life University to study to become a Doctor of Chiropractic Studies.
Headlining APFC 6
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Petties will do battle with Robert Hale on July 16th at APFC 6 in Richmond, Virginia. Hale is the B2 Fighting Series Welterweight Champion and is currently on a three fight win streak. Hale has experience in PFL, LFA, and Lights Out Championship.
“I’m entertaining. I think right now when it comes to striking, I’m back in my zone. A lot of people don’t know, I lost my striking coach who ended up moving to Florida. . .you’re gonna have some entertainment, you’re gonna get a little bit of everything. From what I’ve seen, Rob likes to come forward. I think our styles are actually an interesting matchup. . .its gonna be one for the fans.”
Fight fans can watch “The Joker” take on Robert Hale as well as the rest of the APFC 6 card on July 16th live on UFC Fight Pass.
