Anthony Pettis Drops To 145, Booked To Fight Aldo August 3rd

[No More Sorrow]

Two of the most dynamic strikers in all of mixed martial arts will meet Aug. 3 as Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is dropping from lightweight to 145 pounds to challenge current champion Jose Aldo (22-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) for the UFC featherweight title.

USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com) on Monday learned of the booking from UFC President Dana White.


"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."


White said the company currently is seeking a venue for the as-yet-unannounced event and that sites in Texas, Chicago, Las Vegas and Rio de Janeiro are all under consideration. Aldo vs. Pettis is expected to headline the card.


Aldo on Saturday defended his title with a unanimous decision win over former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar at UFC 156 in Las Vegas. Afterward, Pettis texted White and requested the matchup.


"Aldo is a tremendous fighter," Pettis said. "I have all the respect in the world for his skills. I just want to be one of the best in the world, and the only way to do that is to beat the best."


The 26-year-old Pettis is best known for this December 2010 win over current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the final event for the now-shuttered World Extreme Cagefighting promotion. In that bout, "Showtime" clinched a decision win by leaping off the cage wall and knocking down his opponent with a flying kick to the face. After dropping a decision to Clay Guida in his UFC debut, Pettis has since put together a three-fight win streak that includes back-to-back "Knockout of the Night" wins over top contenders Joe Lauzon and, just 10 days ago, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.


Meanwhile, Brazilian striker Aldo boasts a 15-fight win streak and has not tasted defeat since 2005. He's earned 11 career first-round stoppages and possesses some of the sharpest and most devastating muay Thai skills in the sport. Still, tae kwon do black belt Pettis believes he's capable of upsetting the 26-year-old champ.


"I wouldn't call him out if I didn't really feel confident I could beat him," Pettis said.


Pettis was expected to challenge for the UFC lightweight title later this year against the winner of an April championship bout between current champ Henderson and Strikeforce import Gilbert Melendez. However, the Milwaukee native said he wasn't comfortable waiting around and instead will now face one of the sport's top pound-for-pound fighters.


"It's a superfight, and I want to be a part of these fights," Pettis said.

Well that didn't take long to make, pretty awesome fight. Can't wait for this one, once again I'll be pulling for somebody to knock Aldo off of the top of the division.

 

[Nerotheory]

Aldo im pretty sure will win the fight and might even get a submission.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

This is going to be one awesome fight!

But by the time this fights taken place and a new FW Title fight is set up the Title wont have been defended against an actual FW for 2 years. And I knew Korean Zombie would get screwed over and lose his 'guaranteed' title shot.

 

[Slim]

Well Pettis was gonna get screwed out of his title shot so he chose a way to ensure he got one... but in the process someone else had to be screwed out of their shot.

But this will be an awesome fight. I still see Aldo walking out the winner... just a more closely contested fight.

 

[The Cork]

I can see Pettis absolutely demolishing that hype job and fighting Bendo next in a 'champion vs champion' rematch.

Or, of course could do them as coaches on TUF.

Belt should be Edgar's anyway.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Back of the line is where Edgar belongs, he clearly lost Bendo I, II could have gone either way and clearly lost the Also fight.

 

[Troy]

Smart move by Pettis to ensure that he actually gets a UFC title fight. Was unlucky the first time around to miss his chance and good idea not to risk that again. Should be a cracking fight but I see Aldo retaining.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Pettis/Bendo TUF season, good back story behind it so an easy build for the UFC hype machine.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Pettis wins then we get a REAL superfight between Bendo-Pettis