Sergio Pettis is headed to Bellator.
The former UFC contender has agreed to terms with the promotion on a multifight contract, multiple sources told ESPN. Pettis is expected to sign his new deal shortly, but his debut isn't set yet, sources say.
Pettis, the younger brother of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, most recently defeated Tyson Nam via unanimous decision in September. Sergio Pettis was then booked to fight Kai Kara-France at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, but it was determined recently that Pettis' UFC contract had expired and he was free to explore opportunities elsewhere, sources told ESPN.
As a result, the UFC booked Kara-France vs. Brandon Moreno for the same card while Pettis tested the market.
Pettis (18-5) competed as a flyweight and bantamweight in the UFC but will compete solely as a bantamweight in Bellator, in large part because the organization doesn't have a male flyweight division.
He debuted in the UFC in 2013 with a record of 9-0. After 14 UFC fights and a record of 9-5 inside the Octagon, the 26-year-old was considered one of the top flyweights on the roster.
His most notable win was a split-decision victory over Joseph Benavidez in June 2018.