Anthony Pettis will not wait for title shot to make his UFC debut
Posted on January 8, 2011, 11:16 PM by Joey SantosusWEC stand-out Anthony Pettis watched intently as the UFC 125 main-event unfolded. However, unlike the other 12,000 plus spectators in attendance, the outcome of the Lightweight title clash between Champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard would directly impact the future of his career.
After defeating Ben Henderson at WEC 53 in a bout that was to not only crown the promotion's last standing Lightweight Champion, but to also name the next contender for the UFC's 155lbs. strap, it was just a matter of whom Pettis would be facing in this debut title match. However, after a 25 minute, closely-contested war between Edgar and Maynard, the bout was declared a draw, leaving Pettis with more questions than answers.
While he was initially reassured that things would go ahead as planned, Pettis was later informed that UFC President Dana White had changed his mind and instead felt that Maynard deserved a rematch. With the possibility of being sidelined for up to a year, it was unclear whether the 23 year-old Roufusport product would decide to wait it out, or fight another UFC contender in the meantime. However, Pettis appears to have made a decision on the matter.
Mike Roberts of MMA Inc., Pettis' management company, told MMAWeekly.com on Friday that Pettis would go ahead with his octagon debut instead of waiting for the title shot.
"Anthony was obviously disappointed in not getting the title shot, but he also understands why Dana made that decision," Roberts said. "After consulting with Anthony and Duke Roufus, we collectively decided that it would be in Anthony's best interest to take a fight in the meantime."
"A 10-month or possible year layoff was just too long. We believe with a win against a top lightweight contender Anthony will still get the title shot later in the year."
Although a replacement opponent is yet to be named, speaking to Yahoo! Sports' Dave Meltzer, "Showtime" insisted he is only interested in fighting the division's elite.
"I only want to face guys at the top - George Sotiropoulos, Clay Guida, Jim Miller, [Sean] Sherk, anybody that makes sense," said Pettis. "I don't want to fight someone who isn't high level. If I fight, I think I've earned fighting the best guys."
Source: MMAWeekly.com, Yahoo! Sports
Comments
That's awesome, there are so many good matchups right now too.
I think G-Sots (after he defeats Siver) vs Pettis would be the best match up for the number one contender spot or Pettis vs Kenflo would be pretty good or even the winner of Guillard/Dunham vs Pettis would b sick....Sherk is also a option but hes injured so idk when he will be ready to fight
I also like the fight with KenFlo. That would be a tough first fight in the UFC for Pettis.
Florian is the man! I hope he tries to get this fight and he wins in devastating fashion. The old Kenny Florian was fearless. The Kenny Florian now is hesitant. With the addition to WEC, every fight could be a potential opportunity to get fired. I hope he can get through all the pink slips.
I'd say Pettis vs Miller
Miller's fighting Shalarous so I'd say he should fight Guida. Guida just beat Gomi
I was thinking the same thing when I read this.
Because of these statements http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/12/following-ufc-124-win-jim-miller-wants-respect/ GO TO 4:05 TO THE END- funny stuff.
Should be good!
Sherk would be good match up too.
yeah miller should be next in line for a title shot anyway so matching these guys makes sense and leaves more room for other contenders lying in wait to move up and get their shot.
and i think they should match sotiropolous and guida up in a contender match, i'd like to see that fight.
i disagree, i think sotiropolous has paid is dues. he deserves that step up in competition.
i'd hardly call guida a can. he just submitted the greatest lightweight of all time.
are you homo dude?
Aldo vs Pettis
Future super fight right there. I'd take Petis.
I like that as a super fight too but I think Aldo would destroy Pettis.
Oh Aldo would definitely kill Pettis but I would watch. He could completely prove me wrong though. I'm sure he wouldn't try that fancy stuff against Aldo haha.
Aldo still needs to make his own UFC debut
wtf id rather see this than Aldo vs Edgar or Maynard
Same with most other WEC fighter
That is the right attitude to have young man.
Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another example of what a fighter is supposed to do. This IS the attitude you should have! You don't just sit and wait. Fight...... because you expect to win anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Pettis for manning up and wanting to fight. He has everything to lose and still wants to take his chances. cough cough RASHAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was a good one lol I was thinking about the same thing too. Rashad Evans decision to wait is just as safe as his fighting style
I hate Evens....
he is a wrestler.....
for a moment he thought he became a fighter before machida woke him up.......
or should i say put him to sleep.....
hate even
so... you hate Evans who's a 'wrestler' and not a 'fighter' and therefore have the renowned non-wrestling 'fighter' Brock Lesnar on your profile pic. Very sharp indeed.
Love fighters who just want to fight the best competiton no matter what, no matter when. Fighters that just wait it out if the champ gets injured are weak in my opinion (cough) rashard (cough).
Yea someone came along and stole ur joke... ^^
Haha yea my bad Boner. When I typed it and continued reading it I felt soooooo retarded. But I guess we agree Rashad is being a wuss! And Joey.... you didn't have to out me like that haha! But outing me had to be easier than defending your boy in this spot haha! I see he wasn't defended when JDS said the same thing too....
haha no problem.
Anthony Pettis vs Sotiropoulos for the #1 contender spot.
Im sad in a way that there's a chance the Unification title fight may not happen, but at the same time a year with out watching the young prospect fighting is too much.
Jim Miller is not near the level of the rest of the elite lightweights.
id say Pettis vs G-spot is the best match up.... they both need high ranking match up and they go together perfectly
You're wrong. Miller IS one of the best lightweights. I'll pick him to win if they fight.
sherk is targeting a return in spring so id love to see sherk vs pettis
id also love to do pettis hard
Maybe some heavy Pettising :P
last comment wasent me was my bro
Hahahaha! Someone did you dirty.
ROTFLMSO!
In my eyes
Miller is the perfect fighter for him.....
winner gets the title shot.....
don't make a josh grispi of yourself showtime.
wud like too c pettis vs sherk myself sherk has ton's of experience wud be great win for both fighter's
Ballsy on Pettis' part. I'm glad he's doing it, but I don't think it makes good business sense to do so. He'll have his hands full with any of the top 6 or 7 guys in the UFC lightweight division, and idk how many of those guys I favor him against. It's difficult to say because Ben Henderson is really the best guy he's fought, and Henderson hasn't fought elite competition either. I have no idea how Pettis will look against a Florian, or a Sherk, or even a Guida. Very intriguing to say the least.
Pettis v.s. BJ Penn. That would be great. See if BJ is really back, or give the new comer a rude awaking. I think it would be a great fight.
Beautiful dog Pettis! Mine will look about the same in 6-8 months lol
Best of luck to you bro kick some ass!!!!!
I hope Pedo and G-spot don't fight....
Haha just jooking about the names