ARLINGTON, Texas – Raush Manfio is open to rematching Anthony Pettis despite already beating him.
Manfio (16-3) edged Pettis out during his 2021 PFL campaign and went on to notch two more wins en route to capturing the lightweight title and $1 million prize.
The reigning champion got off to a good start this season, when he came from behind to knock out ex-UFC fighter Don Madge at 2022 PFL 1 this past Wednesday. As for what’s next? Manfio says he’d like to rematch Pettis, but not necessarily from a competitive standpoint.
“Anthony Pettis is the biggest name,” Manfio told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight. “So fighting him again, I know he wants to fight me, it’s always good for business. His name is great so I respect him a lot, but he’s always good for business, sponsorship, fighting Anthony Pettis is always good.
“Now I’m starting to like being the underdog. I’m going to be the most profitable fighter of the year again because I’m always the underdog. I mean I beat Anthony Pettis last year and they put me as an underdog again so I was like, ‘What happened with these guys? they don’t like me at all,’ but I’m happy.”
Pettis (24-12), whose 2021 PFL season came to an end at the hands of Manfio, meets Myles Price at 2022 PFL 3 on May 6 in Arlington, Texas.
Check out the full post-fight interview with Manfio in the video above.
