RFA 8 takes place at the Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee on June 21 and also features a featherweight title tilt pitting reigning champion Jared Downing against Lance Palmer. The event’s main draw will be televised live on AXS TV beginning at 10 p.m. ET.
“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 stated in a release.
While the entire fight card is not yet complete, Pettis -- the younger brother of UFC talent Anthony Pettis -- will not be the only competitor on the bill with an accomplished sibling. Keoni Koch, the older brother of UFC featherweight Erik Koch, will take on Pedro Munhoz at bantamweight, while Chinzo Machida, the older brother of former lightweight king Lyoto Machida, will square off with James Barber at featherweight.
Pettis, 19, is unbeaten in seven professional appearances, most recently taking a unanimous verdict over Josh Robinson at NAFC “Battleground” on March 29. The Rousfusport product made his first RFA appearance last November, earning the nod from the judges against Jimmy Jones at RFA 4.
A veteran of the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce and Bellator promotions, the well-traveled Curran has not competed since May, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Johnny Eduardo at UFC on Fuel TV 3. It was the second consecutive loss inside the Octagon for “Big Frog,” who also lost a decision to Scott Jorgensen at UFC 137.
“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 said. “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.”
Unbeaten in three bouts under the RFA banner, Downing earned the organization’s 145-pound strap by defeating “TUF 15” alum Jordan Rinaldi in a five-round affair in November. “Demon Eyes” has gone the distance in seven of his nine professional victories.
Palmer, meanwhile, is unbeaten in five fights as a pro. The Team Alpha Male product most recently stepped into the cage at RFA 4, where he captured a split verdict over Fredson Paixao.
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