Anthony Pettis: 'I don't see Gilbert Melendez as a big threat'
Even though UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (17-2)' life has changed since becoming a world title-holder, he knows he won't have the full champ experience until he defends his belt. “I’ve got to get back in there and get a defense under my belt,” he recently told Thomas Gerbasi.
“I definitely got some cool experiences – the Wheaties box, The Ultimate Fighter show, sponsors like Reebok and some big companies out there, so I definitely experienced that end of it, but the actual fighting side is what I’m going for, so I think once I get some fights under my belt, I’ll get the full experience of being champ.”
Pettis' chance to do just that will come Dec. 6 at UFC 181 when he defends his title against Gilbert Melendez (22-3). And, though he admits that "El Nino" is a "tough" opponent, the champion says he doesn't feel threatened in the least.
“He’s one of those guys that just goes out there and likes to fight," Pettis said.
"You saw him in the Diego Sanchez fight throwing bombs, the Ben Henderson fight went five rounds - but that’s the thing for me, I don’t really see him as a big threat. He doesn’t really knock anybody out, he doesn’t submit anybody; he kinda goes out there and keeps the same pace the whole fight, so I’ve got to break that down and make sure he doesn’t go five rounds with me.”
Pettis may be arrogant to think he'll be the first man to ever stop Melendez. Then again, the whole world was shocked when he submitted Benson Henderson in less than one round, as well.
Pettis knows that he needs to make a splash to remind everyone who he is, after more than a year out of action. In less than two months, Pettis will have his chance to let everyone know that he is still, "Showtime."
“I gotta go out there and remind everybody of who I am,” he said.
Who are you picking to walk away with the UFC lightweight title in Vegas, at UFC 181? Let us know in the comments section!
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
