Post by s13driver on Jan 11, 2011 19:29:30 GMT -5
Anthony Pettis (13-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) soon will make his UFC debut against standout Clay Guida (28-11 MMA, 8-5 UFC), according to UFC president Dana White.
White confirmed reports that the lightweight matchup is in the works, though he declined to pinpoint a date for the fight.
"It's a fight we're working on," he said during a conference call in support of "UFC Fight Night 23: Fight for the Troops 2."
Heavy.com reported earlier this week that Pettis vs. Guida is targeted for either UFC 130, which takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, or UFC 131, which is targeted for June 11 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Mike Roberts, Pettis' manager, on Monday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the lightweight will not wait for a crack at the winner of a third fight between champ Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard following a draw in their second meeting at UFC 125. Roberts added Pettis will return in May or June against an opponent to be announced.
Pettis earned his shot at UFC gold this past month with a show-stopping victory over Ben Henderson that earned him the final WEC lightweight title.
"It's unfortunate he doesn't get the title shot, but Anthony is confident, and we as a team are confident in his skills," Pettis' trainer, Duke Roufus, said. "He's got a golden opportunity even with this situation. We're very fortunate that he's been put in the contender position, let alone a shot at the title.
"He's going to take advantage of the opportunity and run with it."
Guida, meanwhile, is back in action after tapping out former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at UFC 125. The win earned him a $60,000 "Submission of the Night" bonus.
Following the win, the shaggy-haired fighter said he's gunning for a title shot by the end of 2011.
Melvin Guillard, who headlines UFC Fight Night 23, said during that call that Guida already has returned to Greg Jackson's gym in Albuquerque, N.M.
So it looks like the winner of the spring fight will meet either Edgar or Maynard, assuming their third meeting doesn't go to a draw.
For more on UFC 130 and UFC 131, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
White confirmed reports that the lightweight matchup is in the works, though he declined to pinpoint a date for the fight.
"It's a fight we're working on," he said during a conference call in support of "UFC Fight Night 23: Fight for the Troops 2."
Heavy.com reported earlier this week that Pettis vs. Guida is targeted for either UFC 130, which takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, or UFC 131, which is targeted for June 11 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Mike Roberts, Pettis' manager, on Monday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the lightweight will not wait for a crack at the winner of a third fight between champ Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard following a draw in their second meeting at UFC 125. Roberts added Pettis will return in May or June against an opponent to be announced.
Pettis earned his shot at UFC gold this past month with a show-stopping victory over Ben Henderson that earned him the final WEC lightweight title.
"It's unfortunate he doesn't get the title shot, but Anthony is confident, and we as a team are confident in his skills," Pettis' trainer, Duke Roufus, said. "He's got a golden opportunity even with this situation. We're very fortunate that he's been put in the contender position, let alone a shot at the title.
"He's going to take advantage of the opportunity and run with it."
Guida, meanwhile, is back in action after tapping out former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at UFC 125. The win earned him a $60,000 "Submission of the Night" bonus.
Following the win, the shaggy-haired fighter said he's gunning for a title shot by the end of 2011.
Melvin Guillard, who headlines UFC Fight Night 23, said during that call that Guida already has returned to Greg Jackson's gym in Albuquerque, N.M.
So it looks like the winner of the spring fight will meet either Edgar or Maynard, assuming their third meeting doesn't go to a draw.
For more on UFC 130 and UFC 131, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
Looks like Pettis isn't going to wait for his shot at Maynard/Edgar, and he isn't going to be fighting KenFlo as originally rumored. Not a bad fight, I'll be routing for my cousin Pettis!
