It appears Anthony Pettis will be dropping down to featherweight.
The former lightweight champion seems to be taking a very critical look at his career. We last saw Anthony Pettis drop a unanimous decision to lightweight contender Edson Barboza at UFC 197. which was his third loss in a row. Known for his exciting striking style and submission expertise, Pettis just hasn’t appeared as dangerous as he used to ever since losing his lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos.
According to his Instagram, he will be working his way down to 145 lbs. Hopefully a drop down in weight and a new batch of match ups is exactly what Pettis needs to get back into his winning ways. If not, we may see him take his fighting skills elsewhere.
Who awaits Anthony Pettis at 145?
Fans of MMA striking might be in for a treat because there are a number of contenders in the featherweight division that would be great match ups for Anthony Pettis. The first one I can think of is Max Holloway.
The Hawaiian just picked up his 9th win in a row when he took out Ricardo Lamas at UFC 199, and has all the merits needed for the next title shot at 145 lbs. Unfortunately for Holloway there is a higher priority bout already in the making: Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. The winner will become the interim featherweight champ, and will likely challenge for Conor McGregor’s belt next.
HOWEVER — this is assuming that McGregor chooses to defend his title. If he doesn’t, then the winner of Aldo/Edgar will be promoted to champion leaving Holloway with the next title shot. But if McGregor decides to defend his featherweight belt, then the winner of Aldo/Edgar will fight Conor and Holloway will most likely need another opponent. If the latter situation plays out, I can see Anthony Pettis fighting Max Holloway to essentially create the #2 contender.
In my opinion, that is a very tough match up for Pettis though. I can see the UFC giving Pettis a smaller challenge to snap his losing streak before bringing on top contenders. In that case, a man like Jeremy Stephens would be a good opponent.
Stephens was last seen beating Renan Barao at UFC 199 via unanimous decision. Coincidentally, Barao was making his featherweight debut after moving up from bantamweight. Anthony Pettis vs. Jeremy Stephens would be a great contrast of precision vs power, and would be a rematch. The two squared off in October of 2011 at UFC 136; Pettis picked up the split decision.
Even though Pettis has already beaten him, Stephens still possess blistering KO power. We saw Renan Barao use angles and agility in the first round to frustrate Stephens, but once Stephens was able to land his big uppercut we saw Barao less mobile. The same could very well happen to Pettis in a second outing – especially now that Stephens seems to really be hitting his stride as a striker.
Perhaps the UFC would present Pettis with an even easier test stylistically, and match him up with someone like Charles Oliveira.
While Oliveira is ranked higher than Stephens, I think Oliveira would be an easier style match up for Pettis.
Known for his tricky ground work, Oliveira has known to be a bit fragile on the feet and very dependent on getting fighters to the ground. Pettis is a fantastic grappler himself, and would probably be the best grappler Oliveira has met in the Octagon outside of Hatsu Hioki (and maybe Frankie Edgar).
I think it’d be interesting to see Pettis deal with a lanky muay thai pressure fighter like Oliveira is on the feet, but ultimately I’d heavily favor Pettis.
Regardless of who the UFC matches Anthony Pettis up with, I’m sure it will be an exciting fight as Pettis has the potential to be an absolutely brilliant competitor. While he’s on a three-fight skid, he remains one of the most dangerous strikers and submission artists in the game – regardless of weight class. Now we sit back and see how hard of a test Anthony Pettis will be met with for his debut in the featherweight division.
