Bloody Elbow

Photo: US Combat Sports
Name:	Sergio Pettis
Nickname:	--
Age:	18
Height:	5'6"
Location:	Milwaukee, Wisconsin

One of the trends we've noticed between this year's report and last year's report is the rise of siblings in the ranks of MMA's talent pool. The Lima brothers are the perfect example, but in a more broader sense -- siblings aren't that uncommon in the upper reaches of the sport. Why is that?

Most fans would conclude that both men were cut from the same fabric, each possessing whatever it is that makes them great fighters. Others would say that the older fighter inspired the younger fighter, training alongside one another and helping each other achieve great heights. I fall into the latter argument, and look no further than former WEC champion Anthony Pettis' younger brother, Sergio Pettis (3-0), for proof.

The 18-year-old has maintained an unblemished three-fight professional record, stopping all of his opposition inside two rounds. He also put up a 4-0 record in the amateur ranks, finishing three out of four opponents when he was still in high school. Those impressive feats come as no surprise to most fans. After all, he's had excellent teachers in Duke Roufus and his brother Anthony.

There is, however, an argument that what Sergio has done is even more impressive. He's fought in the shadow of his brother as a fighter who people associate with high-flying striking. Not surprisingly, Sergio is exactly that type of fighter, utilizing explosive kicks, calculated striking attacks, and speedy footwork. But it's clear from the start of every fight that his opponents have shrunk their gameplan down to one word: takedowns.

Sergio accommodates the wrestling community well, putting a roof over their heads, normally in the form of his interlocked legs. Unlike his brother during his early days, Sergio is a more developed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, working from an open guard and actively working for submissions.

Sergio has fought his entire career within the confines of the 135 lb. weight class, but he'll take on Christopher Haney at NAFC Colosseum on May 4th at flyweight. While he's still very young, he possesses all the tools in his arsenal to beat strong competition, and we're confident that Pettis will find himself in the UFC in 2012.

Since the birth of the UFC's flyweight division creates a question of who we should consider as prospects, we've tweaked the criteria specifically for this weight class. Most notably, we drew a line, excluding the following well-known, established flyweights: Jussier ‘Formiga' da Silva, Ulysses Gomez, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, BJ Kojima, Rambaa Somdet, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Dustin Ortiz, Darrell Montague, Danny Martinez, and any flyweights outside of our original criteria.

Footage of Sergio Pettis after the fold...

Sergio Pettis vs. Mike Lindquist

Sergio Pettis vs. Kyle Vivian