Anthony Pettis Calls Out Max Holloway For New York Bout
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis recently got back in the win column after dropping three straight. The win also marked a successful debut at featherweight for Pettis as he submitted top 10-contender Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 21 in Vancouver. In the aftermath of the bout, Pettis made it clear that he was gunning for a title shot, and it appears as if he’s looking for a big name in his next scrap.
Speaking on today’s (September 6, 2016) edition of The MMA Hour, “Showtime” said that he’s targeting a fight with No. 3-ranked Max “Blessed” Holloway next, although he did admit that a future at 155-pounds remains an option:
“I’ve made my decision, I think me and Max Holloway would be a great fight. He’s sitting there on the sidelines waiting for a title shot, as well. He’s No. 3 in the world at featherweight and that’s the guy I would love to see myself fighting at 145 pounds. But then at 155 pounds, there are still good fights for me, too. I just have to sit down and figure it out.”
Holloway has won an incredible nine straight and is well-deserving of a title shot, but the division has been held up due to reigning champion Conor McGregor moving up in wait for a rivalry with Nate Diaz. McGregor is expected to drop back down to featherweight in the near future, but he’ll first take on interim titleholder Jose Aldo meaning Holloway will likely be booked in another fight.
Pettis also has his eyes set on a specific date and venue, and it will likely be one of the biggest cards of the year:
“New York City, Nov. 12. There are a lot of special things for me on that day. Nov. 12 is the day my dad passed away. That was rough day for my family. So with a Madison Square Garden fight, that day, it would be awesome to be on the card and make that day a special day for my family, and not have to remember, I mean, we are still going to remember it. We used to take the day completely off, I would hang out with my mom. My mom takes it pretty hard, so that was always a day for my mom.”
Would you like to see “Showtime” and “Blessed” clash at UFC 205 in New York?
