Report: Sergio Pettis out of grand prix due to torn ACL, interim title bout set

by
Lucas Noonan / Bellator MMA

Bellator champion Sergio Pettis will miss the Bantamweight Grand Prix due to an injury, sources told Mike Heck of MMA Fighting.

Pettis suffered a torn ACL, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

Pettis was set to face Raufeon Stots in the quarterfinals at Bellator 279 on April 23. Stots will now face Juan Archuleta for the interim title, which will be defended throughout the tournament, Heck adds.

Meanwhile, Cris Cyborg is scheduled to defend her women's featherweight title at Bellator 279 in a rematch with Arlene Blencowe.

The Hawaii event will also feature another grand prix matchup between Kyoji Horiguchi and Patchy Mix.

Additionally, Magomed Magomedov, Leandro Higo, and James Gallagher are set to compete in the tournament. An eighth fighter will be needed to replace Pettis.

Pettis beat Archuleta in May 2021 to win the Bellator crown after moving over from the UFC.

The 28-year-old engineered a dramatic comeback win over Horiguchi in December to retain the belt, knocking out his opponent after being dominated for the first three rounds.

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