The UFC powers that be had promised the next UFC lightweight title shot to the winner of the WEC lightweight title bout between Ben Henderson and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (13-1).
As we all know Pettis won the fight, and the WEC title, by unanimous decision in one of the most exciting fights of the past year.
Pettis was on hand at last weekends UFC 125 event to greet the winner of the Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard lightweight title bout. But with the match ending in a draw and the UFC looking to rebook both fighters into the octagon, Pettis has been left as the odd man out and could have to wait a year before getting his title shot.
Now there is word from a representative from Pettis management company, Mike Roberts of MMA Inc, who told MMAWeekly.com that Pettis is not interested in waiting that long to make his UFC debut and will “take a fight in the meantime.”
“Anthony was obviously disappointed in not getting the title shot, but he also understands why Dana made that decision. After consulting with Anthony and Duke Roufus, we collectively decided that it would be in Anthony’s best interest to take a fight in the meantime. A 10-month or possible year layoff was just too long. We believe with a win against a top lightweight contender Anthony will still get the title shot later in the year”.