Adil Boranbaev and Anthony Pettis are confirmed to meet on June 6 at the ORDA GF event in Almaty. Pettis has arrived in the city, removing any lingering doubt about the bout taking place.
Anthony Pettis is heading back into action, with the former UFC lightweight champion confirmed to face Adil Boranbaev on June 6 at the ORDA GF event in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Any uncertainty surrounding the matchup has been put to rest after Pettis touched down in the city ahead of fight week.
Pettis, known throughout the sport by his "Showtime" nickname, carries a professional record of 24-10-0 into the contest. The 39-year-old American, who trains out of Roufusport in Milwaukee, built his reputation as one of the most creative strikers in the game. He lands 3.05 significant strikes per minute at a 47 percent accuracy rate, and while he is primarily associated with his striking artistry, he also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining the danger he presents on the ground as well. Standing five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has competed at the highest levels of the sport for well over a decade.
Verified data for Boranbaev was not available at the time of publication, but the Kazakhstani fighter will carry home-crowd support in Almaty, which figures to be a significant factor in the atmosphere surrounding the event.
Why it matters
- Pettis fighting in Kazakhstan gives the ORDA GF promotion a recognizable global name on its card
- A win for the home fighter Boranbaev in front of a Kazakhstani crowd would carry considerable local significance
- Pettis at 39 with a 24-10-0 record brings veteran experience that will test any opponent willing to trade at range or engage on the mat
