Anthony Pettis will kick off 2027 by competing in his third professional boxing bout.
Former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Pettis (1-1) has been booked to face Neeraj Goyat (21-4-2) in a six-round bout at super welterweight (154 pounds) on Jan. 23 in India. The city and venue for the card were not revealed.
Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions announced the bout on Wednesday (via X).
🇮🇳 INDIA STAND UP
— MVP - Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 14, 2026
Neeraj Goyat returns home for one of the biggest fights of his career as he takes on former UFC Lightweight World Champion Anthony Pettis in a six round super welterweight showdown at 154 lbs. 🥊🔥
It all goes down Saturday, January 23, 2027 as part of the… pic.twitter.com/Z4X5GNyIrk
Pettis, 39, has competed twice previously in boxing. He defeated
the legendary Roy Jones Jr. by majority decision in April 2023 before suffering a unanimous decision loss to Chris Avila in July 2024. "Showtime" is also currently scheduled to face Donald Cerrone in a wrestling match at RAF 15 on Nov. 28.
"I have seen what Indian fighters can do, and Neeraj is the best of them," Pettis said of the match. "That is who I want. I have thought a lot about Sergio (Pettis') loss. This one is for him, and I am coming to win."
Goyat, 34, is riding a five-fight winning streak and is eager to put another notable name on his resume.
"Anthony is a real champion and I respect everything he has done," Goyat said. "but I have waited my whole career to fight a name like this in front of my own people. I am not giving that night away."
A historic night for Indian boxing is on the horizon. 🇮🇳🥊 From MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to Neeraj Goyat, Anthony Pettis, and Rana Daggubati, the message is clear: This is bigger than one fight. A global stage. A homecoming. A chance to inspire an entire… pic.twitter.com/5cZtUJVO9Z
— MVP - Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 14, 2026
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ex-UFC champ Anthony Pettis books boxing match in India
