A former UFC lightweight champion is set to return to the boxing ring for a showdown against Indian star Neeraj Goyat on January 23, 2027.
The six-round super welterweight contest will take place at 154 pounds as part of an event presented by IPBL Boxing and sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council. Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai are being considered as potential host cities, with the final venue expected to be announced in November.
The former UFC champion is Anthony Pettis, who has also competed in professional boxing. The matchup carries a personal angle for the American, whose younger brother, former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Indian boxer Sabari Jaishankar in Hyderabad in March 2025.
UFC Veteran Returns To Boxing Against Indian Star
Goyat, 34, holds a professional boxing record of 21-4-2, including nine knockouts. A former WBC Asia champion, he became the first Indian boxer to earn a ranking with the World Boxing Council before signing with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s Most Valuable Promotions in 2024.
The Indian boxer defeated Brazilian entertainer Whindersson Nunes on the undercard of Jake Paul’s November 2024 bout against Mike Tyson. He enters the Pettis matchup on a five-fight winning streak and will compete in India for the first time since 2022. “Gangster” was last seen in action at MVPW 6 in August, where he defeated Yessin Koulali by decision.
Pettis holds a 1-1 professional boxing record. He defeated former four-division world champion Roy Jones Jr. by majority decision at Gamebred Boxing 4 in April 2023 before losing a decision to Chris Avila on the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing card. That remains his most recent combat sports appearance.
Pettis has an opportunity to avenge his brother’s defeat while competing in a country where he has business interests through the Indian Fight League and Indian Pro Boxing League.
The card is also expected to feature prominent Indian boxers, including Akshay Chahal, Faizan Anwar, Pavan Kalyan, Ritesh Singh, and Laldinsanga Ramlawt, as the organizers look to deliver a major event for professional boxing in India.
