There’s no denying Anthony “Showtime” Pettis is a special brand of fighter with a unique set of skills.
Even going back several years before Showtime ever became a WEC or UFC champion, the Milwaukee native was a highly touted prospect with talent that was recognizable from the moment he first stepped foot inside of the cage. A rangy striker, blessed with speed, precision and an impeccable sense of timing, the Duke Roufus-trained fighter has proved to be a nightmare matchup for his opposition when the fight is in the stand-up realm.
He has the ability to knock you out in a variety of ways, some of which have never been seen before his mind creates them in the heat of the moment.
Yet, like most dynamic strikers, things take a different turn when the action hits the canvas, and Pettis was not immune to those particular growing pains. There would be fights where he struggled against opponents from a wrestling background—most notably his UFC debut against Clay Guida back in 2011, where he was put on his back early and often and forced to fight outside of his comfort zone. Even with Pettis having an established jiu-jitsu game, the constant pressure an experienced wrestler brings is a different type of animal—and one that appeared to be his kryptonite.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old is a lifelong student of martial arts and a quick study. His progression would show in his next outing against Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136 where Pettis emerged victorious via split decision. In that bout, Lil Heathen attempted to take the same approach Guida had used four months earlier, but this time around, Pettis had answers.
The Roufusport representative picked up his first win inside the Octagon that night in Houston and proved the missing element to round out his all-around game was starting to fall into place.
“I think I’m a bad style matchup for anybody,” Pettis told Bleacher Report. “Everybody that fights me is going to try to take me down because the only guy to ever really give me a problem inside the Octagon was Clay Guida back in my UFC debut. People take that and think that’s the blueprint to beating me and think, ‘That’s how you beat Pettis.’ There was a lot of fight that went into that outcome and a lot of good things that came out of it.”
His next three showings resulted in absolutely dominant performances, all of which came inside of the opening round. He steamrolled a collection of world-class talent in highlight reel-worthy fashion. He used a head kick to end Joe Lauzon’s night in Japan, a vicious body kick to fold Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone” in Chicago and then a slick armbar in transition to submit Benson Henderson in front of his hometown crowd.
In addition to picking up his second victory over the MMA Lab leader, he also claimed the UFC lightweight strap that had been on his radar since coming over from the WEC. His victory at UFC 164 not only appeared to be the culmination of a long journey but the beginning of a new era in the 155-pound fold. However, more injuries would happen, and being selected to coach the 20th season of The Ultimate Fighter would put his chance to start his reign on hold.
More turbulence would arise when a collection of former training partners and one former coach launched allegations of abuse at his mentor and head trainer Duke Roufus in regard to how the former kickboxer turned MMA guru ran his Roufusport team in past years. While Pettis chose not to comment on the matter for this interview, the combination of everything he experienced while sitting on the sidelines was undoubtedly frustrating for the young champion.
Nevertheless, rising from a hard-scrabble upbringing to becoming a prominent sports figure in Milwaukee’s blue-collar environment has made Pettis as headstrong as they come. He’s as determined as he is ambitious, and both elements enabled him to keep his focus locked on his physical recovery and his return to the Octagon after a 17-month layoff.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I believe I’m mentally very strong,” Pettis said. “There isn’t much that can faze me mentally. But it’s hard, man. Seeing all of these people advancing their careers and winning these fights and I’m stuck on the sidelines. It’s just one of those things you just have to get through, and I had to get through it. Once you do that, the great things come.”
The lightweight titleholder’s extended absence from the cage will come to an end when he steps in to face Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event at UFC 181 this Saturday night in Las Vegas. The former longtime Strikeforce champion coached opposite of Pettis on the most recent season of TUF, and their eventual collision inside the Octagon has been on the schedule for quite some time.
Therefore, El Nino has been on Pettis‘ mind for the past several months, and the 155-pound champion is ready to get their tilt underway. Furthermore, he has been patiently waiting to kick off his championship campaign for some time now and sees his upcoming bout with the Skrap Pack leader as the perfect opportunity to stamp his place atop the lightweight fold with authority.
“I’m ready to get out there and get this thing rolling,” Pettis said. “It’s been a while since my name has been in the bright lights, and I feel this is my time. I’m excited to be back, and my body is feeling good. The preparation for this fight went very well, and I’m ready to go.
“Melendez is a tough fighter, a decent wrestler and I think he’s going to try taking me down. He’s going to try boxing me up, but unfortunately for him, my stand-up is on a whole different level than his. His striking is very basic, and I’m on a completely different level in that department.
“My ground game is getting better every day, as is my wrestling. I just have to go out there and fight my fight, don’t get caught up in any of the hype and get in there and have fun. That’s how I’ll get the job done.”
Once the cage door closes and the scrap with Melendez gets underway, the first chapter of Pettis‘ time as lightweight champion will commence. He’s currently sitting on the throne of what is arguably the most competitive and talent-stacked division in the UFC, and he has zero intention of giving up the position any time soon.
Holding court at the top of a mountain of that caliber makes Pettis the best lightweight fighter in the world, but in all reality, he has the opportunity to become recognized as the best fighter to ever compete at 155 pounds in the years ahead. But in order to do that, he’s not only going to have to fend off the world’s best one after the next, but he’ll also have to remain healthy and active as the divisional titleholder.
Champions have to defend their belts in order to build legacies, and this isn’t something that is lost on Pettis. He’s been the undisputed champion of the lightweight division for 17 months, but due to his time out of the spotlight, he feels his time holding the belt has come without any of the weight and perks of being a UFC champion. Pettis is in a constant pursuit of greatness, and that drive—at least in the physical sense—has been stalled for the past year-and-a-half.
That said, he sees the coming year as his chance to cement his place in lightweight history, and defeating Melendez is the catalyst to everything he wants to make happen in 2015. All the praise and acclaim up to this point have come as the product of his hard work thus far, and he plans to take things to a different level next year.
“This is my time, and 2015 is going to be a huge year for me,” Pettis said. “I’m the lightweight champ, but I don’t have the star power or anything that comes along with it yet because I haven’t had the chance to defend the title. This year is huge for me, and I’m going to have a big year both inside and outside of the Octagon. And I’m going to enjoy the ride. I’m enjoying what I worked so hard to get. I have these skills and talents I possess, but I’ve busted my butt to get them. Now, I’m gonna reap the rewards. I’m going to go out there and test my skills against great fighters and prove that I’m the best in the world.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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