Pettis interview: Lightweight contender isn’t even thinking about a title shot
Anthony Pettis has had it with the title fight discussion. The high-flying lightweight has been disappointed too many times to count and isn't going to stress over the UFC giving him his shot. When it happens, it happens.
"For me I just gave up on that whole little guaranteed title shot picture," Pettis told "The MMA Insiders" show on ESPNRadio1100 in Las Vegas. "Nothing is guaranteed in this sport. I'm just going to keep fighting my fights and line them up."
Before UFC 125 in January, Pettis, the former WEC lightweight champion, thought he was guaranteed the winner of the Frank Edgar-Gray Maynard fight. When the fight ended in a draw, UFC management initially said Pettis was still going to get Edgar. The next day, after some reflection, Dana White announced that Edgar and Maynard would meet again, and Pettis would have to wait for a true to winner to emerge.{ysp:more}
Pettis was teased a bit again in early May. When Frank Edgar dropped out of the third Maynard fight, the UFC offered Pettis the fight and he accepted. That proposed fight lasted less than 24 hours when Maynard pulled out. That's sparked a little war of words between Maynard and Pettis.
Maynard, a veteran of eight UFC fights, said Pettis beat several scrubs and questioned the level of competition in the WEC.
Pettis told "The MMA Insiders" that Maynard is wrong and way off base.
"I think WEC fighters are more versatile fighter than the UFC guys," Pettis said. "The UFC guys are more wrestlers, boxers. The WEC guys are all over the place."
On Saturday in Las Vegas, Pettis fights in the main event of the Season 13 "Ultimate Fighter Finale." Give him credit for taking the fight. The match against Clay Guida is really a no-win situation and he knows it.
"The MMA Insiders" airs each Friday night from 6-7 p.m. PT on ESPNRadio1100/98.9. FM.
