Anthony Pettis drops to 145, meets UFC champ Jose Aldo on Aug. 3

http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/02/anthony-pettis-drops-to-145-meets-ufc-featherweight-champ-jose-aldo-on-aug-3

Two of the most dynamic strikers in all of mixed martial arts will meet Aug. 3 as Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is dropping from lightweight to 145 pounds to challenge current champion Jose Aldo (22-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) for the UFC featherweight title.

USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) on Monday learned of the booking from UFC President Dana White.

"Two of the baddest dudes in the fight business are going to fight at 145 pounds," White said. "These guys are two of the most amazing, gravity-defying athletes in the sport. I am so pumped for this fight."

White said the company currently is seeking a venue for the as-yet-unannounced event and that sites in Texas, Chicago, Las Vegas and Rio de Janeiro are all under consideration. Aldo vs. Pettis is expected to headline the card.

Aldo on Saturday defended his title with a unanimous decision win over former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar at UFC 156 in Las Vegas. Afterward, Pettis texted White and requested the matchup.

"Aldo is a tremendous fighter," Pettis said. "I have all the respect in the world for his skills. I just want to be one of the best in the world, and the only way to do that is to beat the best."

The 26-year-old Pettis is best known for this December 2010 win over current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the final event for the now-shuttered World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. In that bout, "Showtime" clinched a decision win by leaping off the cage wall and knocking down his opponent with a flying kick to the face. After dropping a decision to Clay Guida in his UFC debut, Pettis has since put together a three-fight win streak that includes back-to-back "Knockout of the Night" wins over top contenders Joe Lauzon and, just 10 days ago, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Meanwhile, Brazilian striker Aldo boasts a 15-fight win streak and has not tasted defeat since 2005. He's earned 11 career first-round stoppages and possesses some of the sharpest and most devastating muay Thai skills in the sport. Still, tae kwon do black belt Pettis believes he's capable of upsetting the 26-year-old champ.

"I wouldn't call him out if I didn't really feel confident I could beat him," Pettis said.

Pettis was expected to challenge for the UFC lightweight title later this year against the winner of an April championship bout between current champ Henderson and Strikeforce import Gilbert Melendez. However, the Milwaukee native said he wasn't comfortable waiting around and instead will now face one of the sport's top pound-for-pound fighters.

"It's a superfight, and I want to be a part of these fights," Pettis said.

Hell yeah! But not for 6 months?

Lama is pissed.

"He stole 'Knockout of the Night' from me, and then he had to send that text out," Lamas today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

"That text" is a message relayed by White during the post-event press conference for UFC 156, which took place this past Saturday at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

"I'm kind of sitting here like, 'What am I, a mirage?' That's exactly what I tweeted Dana White, actually," Lamas said. "I'm just sitting here trying to figure out where I fit in in all of this."

Today, Lamas stressed he would wait for Aldo for six months if asked to by the UFC, or he would take the title shot in three months. He also said he would take a main event or co-main event if the promotion decided to skip over him. But that's clearly not what he thinks is the right thing to do.

At featherweight, he should be first.

"I've put in the work at 145 pounds," Lamas said. "I've done everything I need to do, and I should be next in line for that shot."

Lamas is pissed and nobody cares.

No complaints from me. Pettis is a worthy challenger. Though 145 should have a beef after two 155 fighters in a row take the title matches, but still, there should be two clear cut challengers in the 145 ranks by the end of August.

I'm not all that upset Lamas isn't getting the shot here. Lamas only has four fights at featherweight now. Kind of hard for him to say he's getting screwed over here despite his performances.

GDPofDRC wrote:

No complaints from me. Pettis is a worthy challenger. Though 145 should have a beef after two 155 fighters in a row take the title matches, but still, there should be two clear cut challengers in the 145 ranks by the end of August.

This. 145 needs to build up more challengers for Aldo and this time will allow that.

Quote :

Mike Goldberg: And this is the year of Superfights.

Just not feeling this. I'll enjoy watching it but I'd rather see it at 155. Pettis made it clear he still cares about the LW belt more, even if he wins he won't be staying there. He probably could've fought Bendo before August anyway so it doesn't make sense on that level either. Oh well

Bigger fight, tougher challenge, guaranteed title shot, and the opportunity to hold belts at 2 weight classes. I want the winner to call out Bendo and leave the division.

Farmer1906 wrote:

Bigger fight, tougher challenge, guaranteed title shot, and the opportunity to hold belts at 2 weight classes. I want the winner to call out Bendo and leave the division.

So you're completely discounting Gilbert Melendez?

6 months away

no chance it really happens, Aldo and Pettis just never end up in the planned fight

freakzilla wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

Bigger fight, tougher challenge, guaranteed title shot, and the opportunity to hold belts at 2 weight classes. I want the winner to call out Bendo and leave the division.

So you're completely discounting Gilbert Melendez?

Pretty much. Obviously anything can happen but I think Benfo bears Gil fairly convincingly.

anyone remember when I put Bendo in my top 10 p4p and LA went crazy on me????

The good news about this is it could lead to Aldo vs. Bendo near the end of the year.

I'm really surprised that Pettis even wants to drop weight, Aldo dispatches him easily at 145. At 55 Pettis may be on a more level playing field in the speed department at least.

If Pettis wins, where does he rank on the P4P list? Does he defend the FW belt? Does Aldo get an immediate rematch?

Farmer1906 wrote:

If Pettis wins, where does he rank on the P4P list? Does he defend the FW belt? Does Aldo get an immediate rematch?

All depends on how he wins.