Issue 104

August 2013

‘Showtime’ documents his early Brazilian training trip ahead of August’s UFC 163 featherweight title showdown with José Aldo

MAY 2013

WEDNESDAY 1st 

Arrives in Rio de Janeiro for a 10-day visit with his younger brother, promising prospect Sergio Pettis. They are also joined by Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach Diego Moraes and another Roufusport UFC star, Pascal Krauss. After spending their first day at Moraes’ gym, the team venture out to enjoy some acai at Rio’s Green Sucos restaurant.

THURSDAY 2nd

‘Showtime’ takes a trip to the Brazilian outdoors for some casual waterfall meditation and takes part in a press conference in association with a major Brazilian TV network.

FRIDAY 3rd

Team Pettis have some fun in the surf under the baking Brazilian sun before doing another tough training session at Moraes’ jiu-jitsu academy. Anthony ends the day with a visit to the favelas for some capoeira practice, a dancing-style martial art native to Brazil. Check out the video of Pettis’ capoeira experience at fightersonlymag.com.

SUNDAY 5th

Sunday is no rest day for the former WEC champ as Pettis engages in 10 rounds of sparring with his brother and Krauss. But it’s not all hard labor, Pettis is filmed for Brazilian Jackass-style show La Fenix using some of the presenters for striking practice.

MONDAY 6th 

Enjoys Brazil’s trademark sunshine and hospitality, but the highlight of his day comes when the top UFC contender meets Brazilian music superstar Naldo. 

TUESDAY 7th

Visits the world-famous Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue. “Pictures can’t capture these views!!!” he posts. That may be the case, but the views snapped on camera by Pettis are breathtaking nonetheless.

WEDNESDAY 8th

The US natives join thousands of passionate homeland fans as live spectators to the only sport more popular than mixed martial arts in Brazil: soccer. Anthony wears the colors of Fluminense FC.

FRIDAY 10th

The final day of the trip is spent much like every other day in the life of a fighter: with some good ol’ sparring. Later, the elder of the Pettis brothers befriends some local monkeys before posting a message online, promising a great performance against Aldo at UFC 163: “Brazil it was real!!! See u in a couple months. Coming for the gold!”