Anthony Pettis thinks he’s the man to beat in the upcoming PFL lightweight season.

The former UFC and WEC champion makes his promotional debut Friday whenn he headlines the PFL’s Week 1 event in Atlantic City, N.J., against Clay Collard. The main card airs on ESPN 2 following prelims on ESPN+.

The 34-year-old Pettis (24-10) knows he’s now among the most notable names on the roster and still one of the most popular fighters at 155 pounds, and thinks that’s made him a mark for the rest of the division.

“Just the resume I have puts a target on my back,” Pettis told reporters at the PFL 2021, Week 1 media day. “These guys know who I am and they have watched me in this sport, so I definitely have a target on my back.”

With the spotlight on him, Pettis recognizes he’s in a dangerous position, but embraces the attention and has fully prepared to stop any opponent from handing him his first defeat in PFL.

“I was the champion in every organization, so I’ve always had a target on my back,” Pettis said. “I know what these guys are looking forward to. The scary part about it is that (Collard has) got nothing to lose. He can just go out there, bite on his mouth piece and go – and that’s what I’m not trying to get caught up in. It’s another fight. These guys, there’s some good talent in this organization, and I have to be sharp and on my game.”

Pettis has found plenty of past MMA success and remained a top contender in the UFC for years after he lost the lightweight title in 2015.

But despite being close to 40 fights deep in his MMA career, Pettis thinks he can still shape and add to his legacy if he wins PFL’s 2021 lightweight season.

“My legacy is kind of already written, (but) I’m still going,” Pettis said. “I’m 34 years old. This camp was amazing. I felt so good. The structure and the motivation is everything that came along with this. Before, when I was up and coming, I wanted to be remembered as the guy who fought anyone, anywhere, any time while I was fighting at 145, 155 and 170.

“And now I have an opportunity to become a three-organization champion, and that can be done in a year. Im very exited about the opportunity that’s in front of me.”