Anthony “Showtime” Pettis joins the GAMMA USA Athlete’s Advisory Council! Continuing to add growth to the team, Current PFL Lightweight & Former UFC/WEC Lightweight Champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis joins GAMMA USA on our Athletes Advisory Council (AAC). Anthony has a unique perspective on the developmental platform for competitive martial arts, as he started training and competing as a youth in Milwaukee, WI.
Pettis started training in Taekwondo and Boxing around the age of 5. He continued his training through his youth years and began wrestling once he got into College. Pettis eventually took his training to Legendary Roufusport MMA Academy at the age of 18 where he began working under coach Coach Duke Roufus. Pettis started his journey into Professional MMA in 2007 and his resume of competition is a who’s who in the world of current and former MMA stars including: Current ONE Championship veteran and Former UFC/Bellator Champion Eddie Alvarez, Former UFC Champion Max Holloway, UFC veteran Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, UFC multiple record holder Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, Bellator Lightweight and Former UFC/WEC Champion Benson Henderson, UFC vet and former Strikeforce/WEC Champion Gilbert Melendez, Former UFC Interim Champ Dustin Poirier, UFC veteran Nate Diaz, etc.
Currently Pettis is signed with PFL MMA as a lightweight with an upcoming debut on April 23rd 2021 which can be seen on ESPN2. In addition to competing, Pettis with be assisting with commentary duties for the organization in the future.
One of the accomplishments Pettis is most proud of is the launch of the family owned training academy aptly named Pettis Martial Arts in Franklin, WI. “At Pettis Martial Arts Franklin, we’re proud to offer professional, world class Taekwondo, Striking & Grappling instruction for men, women and children as young as 3. We offer comprehensive Martial Arts programs for complete beginners seeking fitness and self-defense solutions to experienced martial artists looking for the thrill of competition, to become an instructor or one day run their own school.”
Executive Director of GAMMA USA Diana Thomas stated “It is an honor to have such a high level of experience added as a voice for our athletes. His extensive experience in competing as a youth and young professional has direct influence as to how we can encourage growth for athletes and coaches within the safest parameters. I am excited to see the impact his presence and influence has within our organization.”
GAMMA USA is a non-profit organization created to foster the development of MMA to be recognized on the international level with hopes of joining the Olympic Games. GAMMA USA is the sole USA federation recognized under the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) international federation. Our programs were created to develop MMA safely from a youth perspective of 8+, Novice adult MMA and high achieving amateurs ready to represent the USA national team on the international platform.
