Sergio Pettis still hungry, fighting for Duke Roufus' memory at PFL Chicago
PFL Chicago headliner Sergio Pettis says achieving more MMA greatness is the best way to honor his late coach Duke Roufus.
Sergio Pettis is taking a positive perspective on entering his first fight week without his late coach and mentor Duke Roufus. Pettis (25-7) is set to return to competition on Saturday in the PFL Chicago main event when he takes on Mitch McKee (10-0) in a bantamweight bout at Wintrust Arena (ESPN2, ESPN App). Almost every time Pettis has competed to this point in his career, Roufus has been in his corner.
The renowned coach unexpectedly died in October at 55, less than two weeks after witnessing Pettis score a Knockout of the Year contender vs. Magomed Magomedov. The loss is still "fresh," and Pettis is still processing his new reality without Roufus, he said.
However, he is not taking a negative mindset into the cage. Instead, he is looking at this next fight as an opportunity to showcase all the wonderful things he learned from Roufus over so many years. "Obviously, I still have that grief, and I still think about Duke every single day, especially this week," Pettis told MMA Junkie Radio.
"But at the same time, I've got to go out and get the job done regardless. I've got a son at home and have to provide for my family. I have to separate the two.