...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Prior to UFC on Fox 6, Anthony Pettis wasn't sure if he'd be willing to sit out on the sidelines for an extended period of time for a title fight if he got past Donald Cerrone. Well, he got past Cerrone in more impressive fashion than perhaps most believed he would, becoming the first person to stop Cerrone with strikes. That brought about high praise from UFC President Dana White after the event.
"I think the Melendez fight is pretty set, but [Pettis is] next," White said of the UFC Lightweight Title picture (via MMAJunkie.com). "I can't say enough things about the kid tonight – that was incredible. Obviously his big all-time highlight will be the kick off the fence. But tonight, the knee off the fence, was unbelievable."
With that vote of confidence - not to mention assurance that he's next in line to face the winner of Ben Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez - Pettis said he's now willing to wait that fight out, having fought his way back to this spot.
"If it's a guaranteed title shot, then I'm waiting," Pettis said. "That was my goal this year, and I'm definitely going to wait and get better."
Pettis will now await the outcome of the April 20 bout between Henderson and Melendez, and will hope that the victor in that fight is ready to go as soon as possible.
Penick's Analysis: Pettis has lost out on one promised title shot before, so he really has to hope that either Melendez or Henderson comes out of the April 20 fight with no significant injuries in a win so they can get that fight together as soon as possible. He's the most deserving challenger in the division, and after seeing what he did to Cerrone on Saturday night there can't be any further doubt about that. Melendez will get his shot first, but Pettis is ready for the winner later this year in what will almost assuredly be an incredible Lightweight Championship bout.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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