MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » General MMA Forum

[Sakara=Excitement]

Dana White: ?No doubt' UFC on FOX 6 winner Anthony Pettis gets the next UFC lightweight title shot - MMAmania.com

Anthony Pettis knocked off fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight contender Donald Cerrone on the main card of UFC on FOX 6: "Johnson vs. Dodson" and as a result had earned himself a lightweight title fight.

Pettis will face the winner of Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez, who meet in the main event of UFC on FOX 7 on April 20, 2013, sometime later this year, according to comments from UFC President Dana White on the UFC on FOX 6 post-fight show on FUEL TV.

Despite the fact this has been the third time White has promised "Showtime" a title shot in his short UFC career, White assures fans Pettis' shot will come to fruition this time around.

Pettis defeated Cerrone by first-round KO, and in the process became the first man to finish "Cowboy" via strikes with the help of a precise liver kick.

The 25-year-old will undoubtedly be happy to face either Henderson or Melendez, but the bigger fight of the two would certainly be a rematch with "Smooth," who Pettis defeated by unanimous decision in the final World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) event back in December 2010.

A Pettis vs. Henderson rematch would be a big fight for the lightweight division at this time, but of course nothing is set in stone unless the champion retains his belt against "El Nino."

[Rumble]

WOOO! Atta boy Pettis! Hope he can stay healthy that whole time

[Sakara=Excitement]

I've always been a skeptic of Anthony. Not sure why exactly. Maybe it was what I perceived as flash over substance. His loss to Clay didn't help either. I just never envisioned him as "that guy" at the top of the division.

And my love affair with Cerrone is well documented. I think he's an exceptionally talented fighter who just can't seem to get over that hurdle (Pettis, Diaz, Henderson). Maybe it's a mental thing with him, who knows?

But with that said, Pettis looked fantastic tonight and definitely won me over.

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

I've always been a skeptic of Anthony. Not sure why exactly. Maybe it was what I perceived as flash over substance. His loss to Clay didn't help either. I just never envisioned him as "that guy" at the top of the division.

And my love affair with Cerrone is well documented. I think he's an exceptionally talented fighter who just can't seem to get over that hurdle (Pettis, Diaz, Henderson). Maybe it's a mental thing with him, who knows?

But with that said, Pettis looked fantastic tonight and definitely won me over.

Don't get me wrong, I like Cowboy too. He's a great fighter, very entertaining, and usually seems like a cool guy. But the trash talk outta nowhere on this one made me wanna see Pettis whoop dat ass.

Pettis is a beast though. I've been a fan since his WEC days, and then the World of Jenks episode really sealed it for me. I'm really hoping this title shot comes to fruition this time around.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Some guys need that extra motivation to fight ala Nate Diaz. Unfortunately that comes by way of trash talk. This is a fight after all. Trash talk goes a long with the territory.

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

Some guys need that extra motivation to fight ala Nate Diaz. Unfortunately that comes by way of trash talk. This is a fight after all. Trash talk goes a long with the territory.

Oh no doubt man, I get it. But Cowboy ain't always a trash talker. It was understandable with Varner and Nate because there was legitimate bad blood. This was just Cowboy callin Pettis a bitch kinda outta the blue.

[Fe1]

So, Gilbert isn't getting and immediate title shot then? I'm ok with that. Pettis looked really good tonight. I think he's finally earned his title shot.

[H0SS]

Originally Posted by Fe1

So, Gilbert isn't getting and immediate title shot then? I'm ok with that. Pettis looked really good tonight. I think he's finally earned his title shot.

As impressive as Pettis was, I think that he still needs to beat a top level wrestler. It was only three fights ago that Guida was able to Lay'n'Clay his way to a win against him.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Originally Posted by Fe1

So, Gilbert isn't getting and immediate title shot then? I'm ok with that. Pettis looked really good tonight. I think he's finally earned his title shot.

Huh?

Ben Henderson is already fighting Gilbert Melendez. Pettis was named the #1 contender to fight the winner of that.

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

Considering this is the 3rd time Pettis has heard this, I wouldnt put a lot of stock in it til the fight is booked. After all, Bisping might discredit his win over a "fat" cerrone, or one of the diaz bros may say something unflattering...