Background and Early Life

Anthony Paul Pettis was born on January 27, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is the son of Eugene Pettis Jr. and Annette Garcia. Tragically, his father was killed during a burglary on November 12, 2003. Pettis grew up in Milwaukee’s south side with his two brothers, Ray and Sergio Pettis, the latter of whom also became a professional mixed martial artist.

Of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, Pettis's grandfather, Eugene Perez, changed his last name to Pettis in an effort to avoid discrimination. This cultural heritage has played an important role in Pettis’s identity both personally and professionally.

Pettis attended Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He began training in boxing and taekwondo at the age of five and incorporated wrestling into his athletic development during his school years. By the time he started mixed martial arts training at age 18, he had already achieved a third-degree black belt in taekwondo and later also trained in capoeira, further diversifying his striking arsenal.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Pettis made his professional debut in World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2009 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his explosive style and creativity—most notably, his "Showtime Kick" against Benson Henderson in December 2010, a moment widely cited as one of the most iconic in MMA history.

Following the WEC-UFC merger in 2010, Pettis transitioned into the UFC. He captured the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2013 by defeating Benson Henderson via submission. Over the years, he competed in multiple weight classes, earning notable victories and remaining a fixture in the Top Ten rankings for much of his career. However, a string of losses in subsequent years caused him to eventually fall out of pound-for-pound rankings.

One of Pettis's major recent victories came in March 2019 when he defeated Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson via knockout, marking a high point in his return to welterweight. This win earned him a high-profile bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 241 in August 2019. While Pettis showed resilience, Diaz won via unanimous decision after three competitive rounds.

Personal Life and Relationships

Anthony Pettis is currently in a relationship with Lisette Gadzuric, who was formerly married to NBA player Daniel Gadzuric. Although the exact start date of their relationship is unknown, they publicly acknowledged their romance in February 2017 when Lisette posted a Valentine’s Day message expressing appreciation for Pettis.

The couple frequently shares moments from their life together on social media, giving fans glimpses into their travels and shared experiences. Their public displays of affection reflect a strong and affectionate relationship.

Before dating Lisette, Pettis was in a long-term relationship with Alexandra Cartagena. The former couple has a daughter named Aria, born in July 2011. Although they have since separated, Pettis continues to be an active presence in his daughter’s life.