Jeremy Stephens vs. Anthony Pettis is one of the most interesting forth-coming matchups in the UFC’s lightweight division and it has the potential to be one of the most exciting fights of 2011.
Pettis is a relatively new addition to the UFC roster, but is known well throughout the world for being last WEC lightweight champion and—of course—for his famed Showtime Kick.
Despite all the momentum he had going when he entered the UFC, Pettis had an unsuccessful debut, losing a unanimous decision to Clay Guida.
Pettis now looks to bounce back and once again establish himself as a title contender.
The man standing in his way is Jeremy Stephens, who has been with the UFC for four years now, but never managed to establish himself as anything more than a gatekeeper.
This fight is essentially a matchup between a technical striker in Pettis and a brawler in Stephens.
Stephens has never had particularly technical or proficient striking, but he makes up for it with his vicious power.
Pettis has a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and is technical on his feet, but also unpredictable.
In the past, we have seen Stephens struggle against technical strikers like Spencer Fisher, Melvin Guillard and Marcus Davis—Stephens beat Davis, but was losing the fight decisively before getting the KO in the third round.
Ultimately, I believe that speed and technique will triumph over brute force in this one.
Pettis will be able to use his footwork and superior stand up to keep Stephens off balance and uncomfortable.
Stephens has hung in there with some heavy handed guys before, so I don`t see Pettis finishing it, but he`ll do enough to snag the decision.
If he lands one clean power shot, Stephens can win this fight, but I don`t think he`ll pull it off.
Anthony Pettis wins this fight via unanimous decision
Bleacher Report’s Andrew Barr