Neeraj Goyat and Anthony Pettis are set to headline an MVP boxing event in the former’s home country, India. It’ll be promoted by MVP alongside IPBL (Indian Pro Boxing League).
The upcoming MVP and IPBL boxing event will be sanctioned by the Indian Boxing Council.
Goyat boasts a pro boxing record of 20 victories, four defeats, and two draws. Nine of his wins came via KO/TKO. The Haryana-born combatant is also 2-0 in the sport of MMA.
Meanwhile, Pettis is 1-1 in professional boxing. The Wisconsin-born fighter boasts an MMA record of 25 wins (11 via KO/TKO) and 14 losses. He’s counted among the most innovative and skilled strikers to have ever competed in mixed martial arts.
The Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) combat sports organization put forth the Goyat vs. Pettis announcement earlier today, which has set fight fans abuzz.
Goyat vs. Pettis: The Indian Uprising — Neeraj Goyat faces Anthony Pettis in boxing
The MVP boxing and MMA organization, founded by influencer-cum-boxer Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, signed Indian amateur and professional boxing savant Neeraj Goyat back in 2024.
The 34-year-old has competed on multiple MVP fight cards and was even linked to a potential boxing match against Jake Paul in the past. Goyat’s most recent professional boxing match saw him outpoint Yessin Koulali back in August. The Indian pugilist is on a four-fight win streak.
On the other hand, Anthony Pettis happens to be a former WEC lightweight champion and a former UFC lightweight champion as well. “Showtime” last competed in the sport of MMA back in 2022, being outpointed by Stevie Ray in their rematch.
The 39-year-old’s latest combat sports contest was a professional boxing match, which witnessed him get outpointed by Chris Avila in 2024. Pettis is considered to be a legend in the sport of MMA and has been keen on making a mark in the boxing ring as well.
Well, the MVP organization has now promised to bring Goyat and Pettis to India for a high-profile boxing match. It’s been scheduled as a six-round super welterweight (154-pound) pro boxing bout, which will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2027.
As for the potential location of the fight, three major Indian cities have been listed as potential hosts — namely Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai. Additional details about the exact location and more are expected to be announced next month.
Neeraj Goyat vs. Anthony Pettis boxing card to feature Indian talent
Certain sections of the combat sports community have often pointed out that Indian combat sports athletes and the system in the Asian nation generally focus more on amateur and Olympic success rather than professional boxing.
Many critics have, over the years, urged Indian martial artists and fighters to venture into the pro boxing sphere as well. Fighters like Neeraj Goyat have seemingly obliged.
MVP’s announcement regarding the “Goyat vs. Pettis: The Indian Uprising” fight card comprised another element that’s piqued fan interest. It’ll feature several marquee talents from India, in addition to foreign fighters.
Among the Indian representatives on the card would be Rohtak boxer Akshay Chahal, Kolkata’s Faizan Anwar, Dehradun’s Ritesh Singh, Mizoram’s Laldinsanga Ramlawt, and Hyderabad’s Pavan Kalyan.
🇮🇳 INDIA STAND UP
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 biggest card in Indian boxing history.
#GoyatvsPettis
— MVP – Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 14, 2026
Johny Payne is a writer, martial artist, and multidisciplinary artist.
He has covered martial arts and combat sports for around a decade, crafting compelling content for fight fans with world-renowned media outlets.
He’s been a writer and martial arts practitioner since childhood. Compassion and respect are among his tenets.
