‘Showtime’ Arrives

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It has not been all highlight reels and the high life for Pettis. His martial arts-focused family includes a younger brother, Sergio, who, at 17, is 3-0 as a professional and, according to Roufus, exceptionally gifted. In his split-decision loss to Palaszewski in December 2009, Pettis learned a valuable lesson. He entered the fight on the heels of his debut win over Campbell, riding high on the seminal rush that comes with a significant win in one’s first primetime ballet.

“I learned that I’m not invincible. Going into it, I thought I was and that I didn’t need my body to be 100 percent,” he says. “I was coming off a shoulder surgery. I don’t want to make excuses. I had a separated shoulder; the surgery was in October, and the fight was in December. I hit him with some good shots, and he just kept coming. Bart’s just one of those tough guys.”

For Roufus, the evolution of Pettis’ game is part of the larger trend in the sport, as an ever-younger talent base shapes MMA, starting at earlier ages, often with striking pedigrees based in traditional martial arts that form the building blocks of what are effective strikers and fighters.

Against Henderson, Roufus figures Pettis has to be Pettis to turn the trick, take the belt and get a shot at the UFC title. That will be no easy task, considering Henderson’s rapid improvement of late, as he has shown a revamped sense of timing, confidence in his submissions and an uncanny ability to stay a move ahead, particularly in scrambles and fast-paced battles. Henderson is not known for his striking but seems confident enough to use it to close the gap. On the mat, he has proven equally adept at creating good positions from which to work and escaping seemingly hopeless submissions.

Henderson is a talented champion, and Pettis will have his hands full, especially in a five-round fight.

“It’s all a matter of who engages their style, checks one guy’s weaknesses and uses his own strengths,” says Roufus. “It’s gonna be interesting. I don’t see Ben giving him much trouble on the feet. He’s a great, explosive scramble wrestler, and, obviously, his pedigree on the ground speaks for itself. But Anthony took down a decorated wrestler like Shane Roller, which speaks volumes of how good his wrestling has become. The thing I’m most impressed about Henderson is his pace. That’s what makes him a tough fighter.”

According to Roufus, whose brother, Rick, was a champion kickboxer of considerable renown, as well, the approach to striking in MMA remains something to be understood and practiced on its own merits -- a concept he drives into his fighters. The crew includes UFC regulars Patrick Barry and Alan Belcher, along with WEC featherweight Erik Koch, among others.

“People keep saying guys in MMA aren’t striking as well as boxers. Well, they’re not boxing,” Roufus says. “If all I have to do is stand there and punch with boxing boots on, I have a better grip, better balance. I can hide from his hands, shoulder roll and use different defense. If I’m kickboxing or doing muay Thai, I’m not worried about being taken down.”

Because of this, Roufus believes it essential for MMA fighters to train in an MMA-style setting, with takedowns and the full range of tactics available. With more and more lifelong martial artists turning to MMA, he likens the process of taking in once-promising prospects like Pettis to “graduate school,” because they already have the mindset and discipline needed to succeed.

Christmas will come early for Pettis if he wins the title against Henderson, but no matter what transpires, he and the rest of the talented WEC cadre will look to make a splash now that they are headed to the UFC. At the end of the day, sees staying focused, balancing his priorities and remembering what put him here as integral parts of his approach.

“I’m like any normal 23-year-old. I like to go out with friends, and I have a real passion for business. I run two martial arts schools and opened a sports bar in Milwaukee recently,” he says. “I just want to stay on top of my game.”