Anthony Pettis FC 22: New Mexico Fight Night 3 - Sanchez vs. Pleasant is a mixed martial arts event promoted by Anthony Pettis FC and will take place on March 22, 2026 at the Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.
Fight Card
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Lightweight Emmanuel Sanchez vs. James Pleasant 155 lbs Lightweight Championship
Welterweight Jalin Fuller vs. Christian Turner 170 lbs Welterweight Championship
Welterweight Andrew Alvara vs. Derek Meunier 170 lbs
Welterweight Mark Hussey vs. Jeandrick Croes 170 lbs
Heavyweight Antonio Zepeda vs. Deontre Butts 265 lbs
Lightweight Juwan Smith vs. Isaiah Solaita 155 lbs
Preliminary Amateur Card
Middleweight Roberto Valenzuela vs. Gabe Bencomo 185 lbs
Middleweight Brendan Johnson vs. Jacob Snoeyink 185 lbs
Middleweight Klinton Whitmire vs. Quayshan Randelson 185 lbs
Middleweight Brendan Johnson vs. Jacob Snoeyink 185 lbs
Featherweight RJ Mendoza vs. Eric Artiaga 145 lbs
Bantamweight Alexandro Rodriguez vs. Peyton Mattherne 135 lbs
Women's Strawweight Lisa Melendez vs. Jesse Wright 115 lbs
Bantamweight Mark McDill vs. Ezra Dalgai-Peak 135 lbs
Welterweight Michael Mikesell vs. Gabriel Seijas 170 lbs
Background
High Desert Heat: Double Title Stakes at Anthony Pettis FC 22!
The legendary combat sports air of Albuquerque is set to crackle with intensity as the "Showtime" brand returns to the Southwest. On March 22, 2026, Anthony Pettis FC 22: New Mexico Fight Night 3 brings a championship-caliber double-header to the Isleta Resort & Casino. In a city that serves as a global Mecca for MMA, this event represents the ultimate intersection of veteran resilience and the explosive hunger of the next generation, all under the watchful eye of a UFC Fight Pass audience.
The Main Event: A Lightweight Title War
At the summit of the card, the APFC Lightweight Championship is on the line as the relentless Emmanuel "El Matador" Sanchez collides with the surging James Pleasant. Sanchez, a multi-time world title challenger and one of the most durable athletes in the history of the sport, brings a high-volume, "all-action" style that has tested the very best in the world. He remains a master of the clinch and a wizard on the mat, looking to add another gold belt to his storied mantle.
In James Pleasant, however, he faces a dangerous new-school threat. Pleasant has built a reputation for clinical striking and an ability to exploit the smallest defensive lapses. This is a quintessential "veteran vs. vanguard" narrative: can Sanchez’s legendary gas tank and experience drown the challenger, or will Pleasant seize the throne in the most significant opportunity of his career?
Welterweight Gold: Fuller vs. Turner
The championship intensity continues in the co-main attraction as the vacant Welterweight Championship is contested between Jalin "The Gentleman" Fuller and Christian Turner. Fuller, an Albuquerque standout, carries the pride of New Mexico into the cage, possessing a reach and a technical striking game that has made him a fan favorite in the Southwest. He meets a formidable adversary in Turner, a fighter whose physical pressure and grappling transitions have left a trail of frustrated opponents in his wake. With both men looking to secure a major regional title, this 170-pound clash is a high-speed collision course toward a world-class future.
Middleweight Mayhem and the Amateur Guard
The depth of the APFC 22 card is further underscored by a significant focus on the 185-pound division within the amateur ranks. Matchups like Roberto Valenzuela vs. Gabe Bencomo and Brendan Johnson vs. Jacob Snoeyink offer a definitive look at the future of the middleweight landscape. These bouts serve as the primary proving ground for athletes looking to make the leap to the professional circuit under the Pettis banner.
The professional main card also features a heavyweight showdown between Antonio Zepeda and Deontre Butts, a fight where the judges are unlikely to be required. Simultaneously, the lightweight ranks see Juwan Smith test his mettle against Isaiah Solaita in a matchup of high-level prospects. From the women's strawweight technicality of Lisa Melendez and Jesse Wright to the opening welterweight fire of Michael Mikesell, every athlete on this card understands the "Showtime" mission. In Albuquerque, you aren't just fighting for a win—you are fighting to prove you belong in the upper echelons of the sport.
