After spending almost all of 2014 out of the game, UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is set to make a fast return to the Octagon. During the UFC 182 preliminary card fights on Fox Sports 1, the UFC announced that Pettis will defend his lightweight belt against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185.
—BREAKING— UFC 185 in Dallas will be headlined by Anthony Pettis vs Rafael dos Anjos. Rampage Jackson rumored to be on card too.
— FrontRowBrian® (@FrontRowBrian) January 4, 2015
The news comes as little surprise, as UFC President Dana White pegged Dos Anjos as the likely top contender for the belt back in December. Since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in April 2014, Dos Anjos has compiled a strong three-fight winning streak, with back-to-back knockouts of Jason High and former lightweight champion Ben Henderson, as well as a dominant victory over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 13. With Nurmagomedov still nursing a knee injury, Dos Anjos is the on-paper top contender and will get his shot at the belt.
A quick turnaround between fights is a welcome departure from the norm for Pettis. Since capturing the WEC lightweight belt in 2010, he has fought in the UFC just six times. Multiple injuries have resulted in numerous extended leaves from the cage for Showtime, and while he has held the belt for 487 days, it took him 15 months to tally the first title defense of his career, over former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.
That said, Pettis has largely demonstrated remarkable abilities in the cage. While he lost his UFC debut to Clay Guida in 2011, his absurd finishing skills—best seen in his first-round knockout of Donald Cerrone at UFC on Fox 6 and his second-round submission of Melendez at UFC 181—have helped make him one of the most feared fighters in the UFC.
UFC 185 is set for March 14 in Dallas. Keep an eye on Bleacher Report for more details on the card as they become available.
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