MMA Rumors: Million-Dollar 2021 PFL Season Dream Fight Between Champions Might Happen

Lightweight mixed martial arts contender Anthony Pettis surely knows what he wants.

After testing the free agency waters late last year, the former UFC and WEC champion immediately signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

In PFL's 2021 season-opener, there was no shortage of action for the 34-year-old Pettis, although receiving an upset.

2021 PFL 1, which took place last April 23 inside their Ocean Resort Casino bubble in Atlantic City, New Jersey, saw Pettis having a rude welcome at the hands of Clay Collard.

A fellow newcomer for the promotion, the boxer-turned-MMA fighter edged Pettis via a unanimous decision, spoiling the latter's promotional debut.

The fight night also included two-time PFL champions Lance Palmer and Natan Schulte both absorbing upset defeats.

Palmer lost to Bubba Jenkins, while Schulte fell to Marcin Held, showing how unpredictable the PFL banner is.

Schulte's unanimous decision loss to Held ended an unbeaten string of 10 consecutive fights under PFL, where he has been competing since 2018.

But the beauty of the promotion's league format allows fighters to compete and rack up points throughout a "regular season".

With that being said, Pettis is definitely still in the mix for a spot in the 2021 PFL Playoffs.

Seen as an absolute favorite to win the PFL lightweight belt, a dream match against the veteran Schulte is alive.

A million-dollar purse at the end of the season is also up for grabs, perhaps enticing Pettis even more. He knows he got the situation he wanted.

Meanwhile, in the PFL 2 main event on Thursday, April 29, welterweight Rory MacDonald submitted Curtis Millender at the 3:38 mark of the opening round with a rear-naked choke.

In the same weight division, Ray Cooper III also made quick of Jason Ponet, needing just 1:23 to submit him courtesy of an arm-triangle choke.