“Showtime” just established himself as a force to be reckoned with at UFC on ESPN+ 6, and now he wants to face Conor McGregor at 170 pounds.
Anthony Pettis came into UFC on ESPN+ 6 in Nashville Tennessee the biggest betting underdog on the card, which is pretty crazy considering his skills and resume. At +300 or worse to Thompson’s -400, it was clear everyone thought the larger “Wonderboy” was going to karate all over “Showtime” at welterweight.
That’s not how it ended at all. While Thompson did indeed get his elusive point fighting game going strong, Pettis managed to time a Superman punch that knocked Thompson out cold with five second left in the second round (watch it here), blowing the roof off the Bridgestone Arena and solidifying himself as a knockout threat at 170 pounds.
After the win, former champ-champ Conor McGregor took to Twitter (as he regularly does these days) to congratulate Pettis on the win.
Welcome to the club and congratulations.
Now who fucking wants it? https://t.co/XrNU4VDc3Z— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 24, 2019
During his post-fight media scrum, Pettis acknowledged the tweet and challenged McGregor.
”Conor McGregor just put a tweet out, so that’s a fun fight,” Pettis said. “Another guy that I love his style. I think that’d be a fun fight. So if he wants to do it, let’s do it. I’m not afraid to fight anybody.”
He’s not exactly holding his breath, though.
”Yeah, I don’t follow Conor McGregor, I think he’s an amazing fighter, I think he’s done some amazing stuff for the sport, but I’m not gonna wait for him. If it’s not him, it’s the next guy in line.”
As for where a fight between the two division jumpers would go down?
”170. We’re both natural, I think, there,” Pettis said. “And then it’d be a better fight. 155, we gotta cut. If it’s not for a title, then why cut?”
We doubt Anthony Pettis is a strong contender to win the McGregor sweepstakes, but we are interested in seeing what’s next for him now that he’s realized how much energy and power he’s got when he doesn’t cut weight.