Wonderboy vs. Pettis expected to headline UFC Nashville

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is heading up to welterweight for a main event spot vs. Stephen Thompson.

They expressed mutual interest on social media, and now a welterweight fight between Stephen Thompson and Anthony Pettis appears to be nearing reality.

ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported on Tuesday that the former UFC lightweight champion and the two-time UFC welterweight title challenger have verbally agreed to face off in the main event of a UFC on ESPN+ event in Nashville, Tennessee. The fight is expected to be made official in the coming days.

Thompson (14-3-1) hasn’t fought since a contentious unanimous decision loss against Darren Till in last May’s UFC Liverpool main event. “Wonderboy” missed the rest of the year due to a knee injury sustained in that bout. His most recent win was a unanimous decision dispatching of Jorge Masvidal at UFC 217. Thompson twice fought Tyron Woodley for the welterweight strap, fighting to a draw the first time, then losing by decision in the rematch.

Pettis (21-8) lost to Tony Ferguson in an enthralling UFC 229 co-main event, as trainer Duke Roufus pulled him from the fight due to a broken hand at the end of round two, and with Ferguson in full command of the contest. “Showtime” also competed at UFC 226, submitting Michael Chiesa by triangle armbar. Pettis has fought at featherweight and has won lightweight titles in the WEC and UFC, but has never competed at welterweight before.

UFC Nashville takes place on Saturday, March 23rd and will stream live on the ESPN+ streaming service.