Price is right: Kilkenny man ready for Pettis challenge

After Kilkenny’s Myles Price claimed victory in one of the biggest domestic MMA fights of the decade, no one thought it would be over three years before we would see him compete again.

Furthermore, bookies would have given even longer odds on him reappearing in a bout against one of the most decorated lightweights of all time, former UFC and WEC champion Anthony Pettis, who he meets Friday at a PFL event in Arlington, Texas.

Many felt 'Magic' had been put behind the eight ball by Bellator following his win over Peter Queally in front of a ravenous 3 Arena assembly back in February 2019.

"This would’ve never happened if he was an SBG fighter," chimed many, highlighting the strong links between the promotion and John Kavanagh - Price’s former head coach. Yet, in hindsight, the Team Ryano fighter feels somewhat accountable for what transpired with the US organisation.

"There were a lot of politics involved, but over time I spent more time looking at my emotional reaction to it," Price told RTÉ Sport.

"I got a little bit emotional because I cared about what happened with Bellator and that fight. If anything, I learned a lot from it. You have to let politics be politics and if there’s nothing you can do about it, there’s no point in wasting energy on it."

Apart from his presence on social media, it felt like Price disappeared completely after his split decision win over Queally. In his absence, his former foe went on to fight for Bellator gold. Price spent time training in the infamous UFD gym in Dusseldorf and even pursued some psychology qualifications.

"For me, psychology is 99% of the game," Price explained. "There are guys that are animals in the gym and just can’t do it when the time comes to compete – it’s a mental thing,