For anybody who watches UFC the inevitable clash between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis is drawing the same kind of ire in the way fans would anticipate a fight between Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva for the last 6 years. However, the issue to make the fight happen is the same - one fighter has to vacate their belt in order to do so. Both fighters have expressed interest in facing each other but neither one has given interest in taking the necessary risks to do so.
Originally, Aldo was scheduled to defend his featherweight championship against Pettis at UFC 163 before a knee injury forced Pettis off the card. However we were treated to another highly fan requested match when Pettis took the UFC championship from Benson Henderson after Aldo defended his title against "The Korean Zombie" Chang Sung Jung. Just as it seemed as this superfight was later on the horizon, both men obtained injuries that would keep them out for a long time.
But if you think about it - not men has each much to really accomplish in their division. Pettis defeated Benson Henderson for a second time (this time in the first round) when Henderson was dominating the who's who of the lightweight division and going to decision. Not much is left for Pettis who faces Gilbert Melendez at this years end pay per view. Melendez states as one of the very few challenges left in the lightweight division for Pettis unless something new stirs up in the division.
The much could be said the same for Aldo. Should he defeat Chad Mendes for the second time at UFC 176, there will not be much competition for him left in the division. The only two people that stand out in my mind who he would need to prove himself against are Dennis Bermudez who is currently tied with Aldo for the longest win streak at featherweight, and Dustin Poirier who owns the most wins at featherweight after his fight of the night peformance over Akira Corassani last month.
It's only a matter of time before these two meet. I would much like to see it for the lightweight title because like I stated, I don't believe Aldo can really do much more at 145.
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My final prediction with this fight is as follows: A clash between these two could ultimately come down to what strategy is implemented. Aldo is much more explosive than the two but Pettis is bigger. Pettis could stick and move using slick boxing while avoiding the rear leg kick of Aldo to close the distance and pull guard. From there off of his back he could work for a slick submission off of his back for the early finish.
As for Aldo, being the much more explosive fighter. He definitely has more championship fight experience and a 5 round decision would favor him more if he were to keep the lightweight champion at a distance and fire off with those vicious leg kicks.
Originally, Aldo was scheduled to defend his featherweight championship against Pettis at UFC 163 before a knee injury forced Pettis off the card. However we were treated to another highly fan requested match when Pettis took the UFC championship from Benson Henderson after Aldo defended his title against "The Korean Zombie" Chang Sung Jung. Just as it seemed as this superfight was later on the horizon, both men obtained injuries that would keep them out for a long time.
But if you think about it - not men has each much to really accomplish in their division. Pettis defeated Benson Henderson for a second time (this time in the first round) when Henderson was dominating the who's who of the lightweight division and going to decision. Not much is left for Pettis who faces Gilbert Melendez at this years end pay per view. Melendez states as one of the very few challenges left in the lightweight division for Pettis unless something new stirs up in the division.
The much could be said the same for Aldo. Should he defeat Chad Mendes for the second time at UFC 176, there will not be much competition for him left in the division. The only two people that stand out in my mind who he would need to prove himself against are Dennis Bermudez who is currently tied with Aldo for the longest win streak at featherweight, and Dustin Poirier who owns the most wins at featherweight after his fight of the night peformance over Akira Corassani last month.
It's only a matter of time before these two meet. I would much like to see it for the lightweight title because like I stated, I don't believe Aldo can really do much more at 145.
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My final prediction with this fight is as follows: A clash between these two could ultimately come down to what strategy is implemented. Aldo is much more explosive than the two but Pettis is bigger. Pettis could stick and move using slick boxing while avoiding the rear leg kick of Aldo to close the distance and pull guard. From there off of his back he could work for a slick submission off of his back for the early finish.
As for Aldo, being the much more explosive fighter. He definitely has more championship fight experience and a 5 round decision would favor him more if he were to keep the lightweight champion at a distance and fire off with those vicious leg kicks.
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