In the end, this one came down to a ground game battle between two well-versed jiu-jitsu practitioners.
Kilkenny’s Myles Price (now 11-8) had to start his PFL journey towards a potential million-dollar pay-day with a defeat as Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis picked up the redemption win he’s been looking for since he dropped two losses during his debut season in 2021.
Taking to the PFL SmartCage around 3 am, it was Price who made the first move, shooting low for a single leg that Pettis would avoid, closing the gap to prevent the Team Ryano Kilkenny coach from returning to his feet.
The fight would remain on the ground from the off, Pettis enjoying a good three minutes of top pressure before Price could scramble out only to get pulled back to guard and caught in a triangle. Securing the mount with the triangle locked in, Pettis forced the submission with 4:17 gone on the clock.
Speaking after the fight, the former UFC lightweight champion is confident Price will be back and hunting for a win.
“That’s how it’s supposed to be. Last year didn’t go my way, this season’s a whole new season. I had a great training camp, great coaches and I did what I was supposed to do.”
“I knew he was going to go for a takedown, I didn’t expect him to go that quick. When I got on top, I knew his jiu-jitsu was dangerous so I wanted to secure guard. I was about to go for a mount but he played good defence, head position, I hit landed some ground and pound, did what I trained to do. It worked out perfect, a flawless victory for me. I’ve no scratches on me, right back to camp.”
“Everybody knows my triangles are dangerous, I’m always looking for a triangle. Once I got the mount, I knew it was over.”
“Big up to Myles, he had to fight a tough guy in his first fight in the PFL after a three-year layoff. He’ll be back.”
A first-round finish hands the Milwaukee native three bonus points alongside the three he’ll collect for the win, lifting him to the top of the lightweight standings heading into the second part of the PFL’s regular season.
Pettis moves to 25-12, the win giving him his eighth career submission.
