Anthony Pettis (black trunks) vs. Donald Cerrone
Pic by SHERDOG.COM -click for source- Credit: Dave Mandel

After the disposal of Frankie Edgar at UFC 156, the featherweight division got very interesting at the press conference. Anthony Pettis (3-1 UFC) texted the UFC President Dana White and said he would give up his guaranteed lightweight title shot for a title shot at featherweight.

The former WEC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis is  dropping from lightweight to 145 pounds to challenge current champion Jose Aldo (4-0 UFC) for the UFC featherweight title.

USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com on Monday learned of the booking from 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.”

Pettis entered the UFC as the last WEC lightweight champion and will always be known for his highlight reel kick off the cage when he beat Ben Henderson (the current UFC lightweight champion).

Pettis was guaranteed a title shot at the winner between Henderson and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez. Instead Pettis is dropping down in  weight-class to take on another devastating striker in Aldo.

“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.”

Pettis is one, if not the best orthodox striker in MMA, and Aldo is one of the most accurate strikers in all MMA. Pettis will enter the fight as the smaller fighter, but wants to fight the best of the best.

“I wouldn’t call him out if I didn’t really feel confident I could beat him,” Pettis said.

~ Final Thought ~

This fight will sell PPV’s, put asses in seats, and yet shouldn’t happen. Lightweight’s should have to earn featherweight title shots.

I understand Pettis taking an immediate title shot in another weight-class. He has been dicked around a lot already by the UFC. Giving him Clay Guida first was dumb, but Pettis needs to realize that’s where Guida is now too.

The featherweights fight their butt’s off to gain number one contender-ship(s) that they don’t ever see. Ricardo Lamas has won 4 in a row and beat former number one contender Erik Koch and should be next in line.

Why have fighters like Tim Boetsch, Chris Weidman, and Ricardo Lamas in the UFC if you will never even market them even when they earn it?

Lamas had this to say to www.mmajunkie.com

“He stole ‘Knockout of the Night’ from me, and then he had to send that text out.”

“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.”

“I’m kind of sitting here like, ‘What am I, a mirage?’ That’s exactly what I tweeted Dana White, actually.”

“I’m just sitting here trying to figure out where I fit in in all of this.”

Watch the fun fan made highlight reel of Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in the video below.