Pettis-Thompson Set For UFC Nashville

After Anthony Pettis asked the world if he should move up to welterweight to face Stephen Thompson, and Thompson welcomed the showdown, the two fighters will get their chance on March 23rd.

Initially reported by ESPN, the two join the UFC on ESPN+ event from Nashville, Tennessee on March 23rd at 170 pounds.

Stephen Thompson vs. Anthony Pettis at 170 pounds is verbally agreed to for the March 23 fight night event, which is expected to be in Nashville. Fight isn’t signed just yet but expected to be finalized shortly. Story coming to ESPN in a bit.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 15, 2019

Pettis will be fighting at 170 pounds for the first time in a decade, which dates back before his WEC debut, where he was lightweight champion.

“Showtime” returns to the Octagon for the first time since his impressive UFC 229 loss to Tony Ferguson due to corner stoppage.

This marks Thompson’s first fight since his unanimous decision loss to Darren Till in May at UFC Liverpool. Thompson looks to break a stretch that saw “Wonderboy” go 1-2-1 in his last four fights, where he would take a majority draw and majority decision loss against welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.