At this Saturday’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 13 Finale, Anthony Pettis will meet Clay Guida in a fight that could determine the next top contender in the lightweight division. Pettis had been promised an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title shot after winning his last fight against Ben Henderson.
Earlier today, Pettis addressed a number of topics during the pre-fight conference call for Saturday’s event. Among those topics discussed were his upcoming fight with Guida and the possibility of a future title shot.
While his fight with Henderson is the one that took him to a new level of recognition and popularity, Pettis credits his fight against Shane Roller at WEC 50 for taking his progression as a fighter to new heights.
“Yeah, the Shane Roller fight, that was the fight where I think I became more of a complete fighter,” Pettis said. “There was definitely potential before that, but that was just where I became a complete fighter and I actually got to implement my wrestling defense and my overall MMA skills. I think that’s the fight where I just started feeling more comfortable in the cage.”
After his fight with Henderson, which featured on of the most incredible head kicks ever performed in MMA history, Pettis went from a relative unknown in the sport to becoming recognized as one of the world’s best lightweights.
As fast as Pettis has risen, he can fall with a loss to Guida. So, Pettis doesn’t plan on making any alterations to what has helped him get to this point in his career.
“I think everything happens for a reason, and I’m at where I’m at for a reason. I train hard and I push myself to the limit every time I’m in the gym and it shows in my fights,” Pettis said.
“A year and a half ago, no one knew who Anthony Pettis was or cared about Anthony Pettis to now fighting a guy like Clay Guida and headlining the TUF Finale. It’s amazing, it’s a blessing and I’m going to keep doing what it took to get me here.”
Pettis exclusively trains at Roufusport in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wis. Pettis credits Roufusport head Duke Roufus for helping him grow as a fighter and preparing him for the spotlight that now shines down on him.
“I was blessed to have a gym like Duke Roufus and the Roufusport Fight Team in my home town. Most guys have to move away to find a good gym to train at or travel, but I have one in my own back yard,” Pettis said.
“I was blessed to have that gym there and I wouldn’t want it anywhere else. Duke’s been where I’m at in a different sport, in kickboxing, but he really relates to me on what to look out for and the ins-and-outs of the fight game.”
After being promised a title shot with his win over Henderson, Pettis was forced to take another fight when UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard fought to a draw in their last fight, which essentially required an immediate rematch.
Pettis admitted that the delay upset him initially, but he is now looking at the situation as an opportunity to prove himself to those who may still doubt that he is deserving of a title shot in the UFC.
“At first, I was a little mad, but I understand it,” Pettis said. “I want a clear champion and I want to show people that I earned to be the number one contender, so I don’t mind going out there and fighting a couple guys before I get my title shot. That’s just going to make me a more well-prepared Anthony Pettis.”
As for what could be in the cards with a win over Guida, Pettis is not concerned with that at the moment. Even if he was, he isn’t sure that a title shot is a given anymore.
“I’m not really looking past Clay right now. If I win this Clay fight, who knows what could happen. I thought, after I won against Henderson, I was going to get a title shot, but that didn’t work. I’m just going to stay ready and whoever they throw at me next I’ll be ready to fight them as well.”
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