Anthony Pettis will return in September, eyes Nate Diaz over UFC 150 bout with Donald Cerrone
Posted on May 17, 2012, 05:43 PM by Mike DrahotaAfter beating Jeremy Stephens on Tuesday at UFC on Fuel TV 3, Donald Cerrone eyed Anthony Pettis as his next challenge in the crowded UFC Lightweight division. He was hoping for the fight to take place in his home state of Colorado at UFC 150 on August 11th. However, Pettis's manager announced today that this would not be happening and his client will be fighting next in September, possibly at UFC 151.
“Showtime” is recovering from shoulder surgery, and will not be able to make UFC 150 at one-hundred percent. He had the procedure done earlier this year after his impressive headkick knockout of Joe Lauzon at UFC 144 last February. It was a minor procedure to repair his shoulder and he has his sights on early September's UFC 151 as a return date. Apparently, Pettis is not against facing Cerrone, who were both in the WEC together before it was absorbed by the UFC.
However, there is another fighter that Anthony Pettis would rather face: Nate Diaz. The surging Diaz was promised a title shot by Dana White after submitting Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3, a man who had never been finished before. Perhaps Pettis is holding onto the hope that Diaz will not want to wait for the winner of Ben Henderson-Frankie Edgar II at UFC 150, and accept his challenge. The winner of a Pettis-Diaz bout would almost surely come out with a title shot as his next fight.
Who will Antony Pettis face next? Either Diaz or Cerrone could potentially produce a Fight of the Night bonus. With a backup towards the top of the UFC Lightweight division, who is the most deserving of the next title shot?
Further Reading: Anthony Pettis: I match up well with Nate Diaz
Comments
Pettis-Diaz next does make the most sense. However, I don't think Diaz will fight him.
Pettis-Cerrone should be just fine.
Agreed
as much as that fight would be insane as we imagine it can be!
i don't want it to happen
Pettis and Cerrone are 2 of my IDOLS!
i would hate to see either one lose!
i will rather watch Pettis vs Diaz for the No.1 contender
also it makes the most sense since Pettis is a contender
and Cerrone just got back on track
i would love to see Cerrone fight Miller,Lauzon,Maynard or any other Top 10
get 2 or 3 more wins ( which is like a year or less for Cerrone)
and then face the Champ , i would love to see
Cerrone vs Henderson III
pettis will beat diaz. that's why diaz wants to sit and wait instead of fighting him.
Either match up is sick, just make sure one of them happens!!
I am tired of hearing about poor Pettis. The biggest name he has beat is Lauzon and in my opinion Lauzon is not a top ten guy. He beat henderson in WEC but everyone knows Henderson is a much improved fighter since then. I think Pettis needs to fight a top 5 guy and win before he should be considered for a title shot. What has he done to deserve it?