Sergio Pettis (photo via On Milwaukee.com / US Combat Sports.com)

By FCF Staff

Resurrection Fighting Alliance has announced that rising flyweight Sergio Pettis will battle WEC and UFC vet Jeff Curran for the promotion’s vacant title, June 21st in Milwaukee. The card will also feature featherweight champion Jared Downing taking on Lance Palmer.

The 19 year-old Pettis, who is the younger brother of UFC star Anthony, has gone 7-0 to date in his pro career.

“It’s an honor to be fighting Jeff Curran, because I grew up watching him on TV and I know he’s fought the best in every top MMA organization out there, including former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra,” Pettis was quoted saying in a press release. “It’s awesome knowing that I’m fighting him for the first-ever RFA flyweight title in the main event of the RFA in my home town.”

Curran (33-15-1) is coming off back-to-back, unanimous decision losses to Scott Jorgensen and Johnny Eduardo in the UFC.

“The chance to fight a young guy like Sergio is really exciting to me,” the 35 year-old Curran said. “His pedigree, where he trains, the fact that Anthony Pettis is his big brother, and all of their success is really impressive. I know this will be a fun fight for everyone.”

“With two title fights at RFA 8, we are aggressively moving forward with our goal to build RFA as a developmental organization for fighters who want to be in the UFC,” RFA President Ed Soares noted. “At RFA 8 we are introducing a new champion at flyweight with a title fight between rising star Sergio Pettis and UFC veteran Jeff Curran. Also, our featherweight champion Jared Downing will attempt his first title defense against decorated wrestler Lance Palmer. We are excited to bring RFA to Milwaukee and honored to work with AXS TV to present our fights on live national television across the U.S.”

Downing (9-1) is currently riding a three fight win streak, while the All American wrestler Palmer has gone 5-0 since turning pro.

The event will be hosted by the The Rave / Eagles Club and will be broadcast on AXS TV