Anthony Pettis Shares How He Became a Wheaties Box Star

Anthony Pettis became the face of the Wheaties box after Jon Jones was unable to take the opportunity. The former UFC lightweight champion recounted this on his podcast, explaining that the cereal brand initially intended to feature Jones.

Pettis's rise to this notable marketing spot followed his impressive knockout of Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in 2013, along with a memorable cage-kick against Henderson two years prior. These achievements made him a favored choice for the promotion.

Jones's legal troubles in 2015 hindered his career and likely affected his endorsement prospects, allowing Pettis to seize the moment and secure his place in UFC history with the Wheaties appearance. Although Pettis ended his UFC career with a record of 10-9 after winning the lightweight title, he remains a prominent figure from that period. He left the UFC in 2020 and later competed in PFL and Bellator before announcing his retirement in 2024.