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[Xtremo]

The draw between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 will mean a trilogy between the two lightweight competitors will happen in 2011, but it also means the last WEC champion Anthony Pettis is left out of the title picture for the time being.

Now it appears Pettis will not wait around for a title shot, and will fight again before challenging Edgar or Maynard.

Mike Roberts of MMA Inc., Pettis’ management company, told MMAWeekly.com on Friday that Pettis would be returning to the cage instead of sitting out for nearly a year to wait for a 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”.

Pettis defeated Ben Henderson at WEC 53 to close out that promotion in December, and was slated to face the winner of Edgar and Maynard, but a draw put that on hold.

Pettis looks to return to the cage, likely in the first half of 2011, to keep busy then challenge either Edgar or Maynard if he can stay on a winning path.

Anthony Pettis Will Fight Again Instead of Waiting for Edgar or Maynard | MMAWeekly.com

[HillbillyDeluxe]

I didnt figure he was gonna wait that long, no way. Glad to hear he's gonna be fighting again soon, now I'm just curious as to whom he will be fighting.

[MMA4EVERRR]

Winner of George Soto vs Siver

Jim Miller, if he can get pulled out of his bout with Kamal

Guida

Sherk

Winner of Dunham/Melvin

alota good fights out for him

[IceCold48]

pettis should not really have gotten a title shot. not that id of been mad if he did i was actually very excited but this doesnt surprise me at all. no other WEC belts were unified.

[GL Jeff]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

pettis should not really have gotten a title shot. not that id of been mad if he did i was actually very excited but this doesnt surprise me at all. no other WEC belts were unified.

What other belts?

I think Anthony deserves the title shot, one of the biggest reasons,right now its really hard to pick a clear number 1 contender, Pettis was an obvious choice.

[Bubbles]

Guida would be a cool match up

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

no other WEC belts were unified.

How the fuck can you unify any of the other belts when the UFC only had Pettis's lightweight class to unify with a champion of their own? Nobody in the WEC could honestly compete with the same divisions in the UFC except the smaller ones, so there was no sense unifying them and letting them be totally embarassed for their UFC debut.

[Bubbles]

Originally Posted by HillbillyDeluxe

How the fuck can you unify any of the other belts when the UFC only had Pettis' weightclass to unify with a champion of their own? Everybody else is still Champion for their weight class.

he means 170, 185, 205 titles

[Goremire]

After what happened to Josh Grispi, I bet Dana and Joe will be picking Pettis' oppnent extremely carefully. Dana needs Showtime and his jedi-kicks in a title fight on PPV as soon as possible.

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

he means 170, 185, 205 titles

Honestly, none of them are on the same level as the UFC fighters of those divisions. I mean no disrespect to the fighters but who could hang with those weight-class champions right now from the WEC?