Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis Becomes Part Owner of Longtime Training Home Roufusport
Anthony Pettis has accomplished a lot during his time as a member of the Roufusport team.
The 25-year-old known as “Showtime” rose to prominence in the now-defunct World Extreme Cagefighting organization, capturing the imagination of millions with his highlight reel, off-the-cage kick against Benson Henderson at the promotion’s final event in 2010 (“Anthony Pettis Superkick” is at 3.7 million YouTube hits and counting). Since the WEC folded into the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2011, Pettis has continued to establish himself as a lightweight to watch, notching triumphs against Jeremy Stephens and Joe Lauzon in his last two Octagon outings.
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In addition to ownership duties at the respected Milwaukee gym, Pettis will also collaborate with Roufus and Joffe in running the North American Fighting Championships (NAFC) promotion and in the launch of an MMA themed television program, “WI MMA Today,” which will air regionally in Wisconsin beginning Nov. 10.
“For me to become part owner of the gym that started my career in the UFC means the world to me,” Pettis said in a release. “I get to give other fighters the opportunity that Duke's gym gave me. I'm sure there will be a lot of new responsibilities, but I've been running gyms since the age of 16, so it will be nothing new. I’m looking forward to new challenges, including the television show. I would like to thank Duke Roufus and Scott Joffe for the opportunity, and my family and friends for supporting me while I achieve my goals.”
Pettis has not competed since his first-round knockout of Lauzon at UFC 144 in February. While a bout with Cerrone has not yet been made official, several outlets have reported that the confrontation could take place sometime in early 2013.
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