Anthony Pettis
A second fighter is officially dropping from the UFC’s lightweight division to challenge the 145-lbs title holder for his belt.
On Tuesday morning USAToday.com broke the news that former WEC champ Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis (16-2) was dropping down to featherweight to challenge UFC champ Jose ‘Junior’ Aldo (22-1) at an unnamed UFC event on August 3rd.
Speculation surfaced Saturday night when Pettis messaged UFC president Dana White about wanting to face Aldo after the champ successfully defended his title against Frankie Edgar after the former lightweight title holder dropped weight divisions for the UFC’s first “Super Fight.”
White broke the news to the news site on Monday.
“Two of the baddest dudes in the fight business are going to fight at 145 pounds,” White said. “These guys are two of the most amazing, gravity-defying athletes in the sport. I am so pumped for this fight.”
No location was named by White but the UFC pres did throw out a few places such as “sites in Texas, Chicago, Las Vegas and Rio de Janeiro.”
Pettis was also contacted about the fight, saying that “I wouldn’t call him out if I didn’t really feel confident I could beat him.”
Aldo has successfully defended his 145-lbs title six straight times and is on a fifteen fight win streak. His latest win took place in the main event of UFC 156 with a decision win over Edgar last weekend in Las Vegas.
Pettis had earned the next shot at the lightweight title by stopping Donald Cerrone last month at UFC on FOX 6, using body kicks to fell the ‘Cowboy’ in the first round by TKO. The win was ‘Showtime’s’ third straight and is 7-1 over his last eight bouts.