Pettis moving to 145

[BobSalvage]

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is on the move – to the featherweight division.

Taking to Instagram, Pettis posted a picture of himself alongside some of JacksonWink MMA's finest, hashtagging "145 in the works."


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGYYWJyojJA/?taken-by=showtimepettis


MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani confirmed the weight change with Pettis' manager, Malki Kawa.

Kawa added that Pettis will enlist the help of Mike Dolce to oversee the weight cut. While nothing is official just yet, Pettis is hoping to debut in the 145-pound class in August of this year.

LINK: Anthony Pettis dropping to featherweight, hopes for August debut

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Who do you guys think would be a good match up for him??

 

[La Paix]

Very interesting.

Have him fight Barao, both former champions and are new to the division coming off loses iirc

 

[Robbie Hart]

Have him fight max Holloway

 

[BobSalvage]

I like the Barao fight. I think after losing 3 in a row he needs to work his way back up. Maybe give him like a Myles Jury or a Hacran Dias

 

[lueVelvet]

I think Barao is the best fight to make for him. He can wrestle but likes to keep it standing so hopefully that would give Pettis a bit of a break in that Dept.

I really wanted Pettis to stay close to the top of his game but the blueprint was out there and he never changed up his approach so now he's lagging behind the pack. I always though a Conor/Pettis match up would be great as well since they're both showy and like to stand instead of grapple.

This should be interesting.

 

[member 3289]

Anyone who isn't a wrestler. That's his kryptonite no matter what weight he fights at.

 

[BobSalvage]

Yeah everyone said that Pettis needs someone who will stand with him but we saw last fight that just isn't the case anymore after Barboza dismantled him. Pettis has good subs I think he should try to utilize those more.

 

[Sweets]

Have him fight max Holloway

I really like that fight..

 

[Robbie Hart]

I really like that fight..

Max would take it......

 

[Sweets]

Max would take it......

I know, but at least Pettis would be allowed to bang bro..

 

[Wild]

Very interesting.

Have him fight Barao, both former champions and are new to the division coming off loses iirc

This excites my penis region very much.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I know, but at least Pettis would be allowed to bang bro..

How is he so susceptible to takedowns (easy for me to ask as I'm laying on my couch).........

 

[regular john]

Very interesting.

Have him fight Barao, both former champions and are new to the division coming off loses iirc

I think he would kill Barao;

Yeah everyone said that Pettis needs someone who will stand with him but we saw last fight that just isn't the case anymore after Barboza dismantled him. Pettis has good subs I think he should try to utilize those more.

it's not that simple. Barboza is just an even better striker than him and matches up well with him.

 

[Sweets]

How is he so susceptible to takedowns (easy for me to ask as I'm laying on my couch).........

I think it's because he is always looking for kicks they are key for him so there is always opportunities to catch him in a bad spot of balance and either push him to the cage and put him on his back.. Also he needs to keep distance for the kicks and he seems to almost cut the cage off for himself if guys pressure..

Also easy for me to say on the couch..

 

[La Paix]

Anyone who isn't a wrestler. That's his kryptonite no matter what weight he fights at.

I think his kryptonite is more so a very heavy pressure game, not giving him space to get his strikes and and don't be scared of getting countered. Bendo is a great wrestler and and Pettis did great against him. Getting taken down isn't his weakness as we've seen he has an active and effect guard game. I'd say making him know you aren't fearing his strikes and keeping the pressure on in the pocket is key. Press on him and get the TD, let him squirm and get up to do it again.

I'd bet that Pettis would do better against Lamas than he would against Bermudez because of the style they bring even though Ricardo is ranked higher.

 

[La Paix]

I think he would kill Barao;.

Agreed, and that's the intent lol. Barao is good and all but I get the feeling nobody cares, he lost the big fights and seems tough to promote really. Get Pettis back in the fans good books because he's all kinds of sexy, very exciting and fan friendly when he's on and try to get his mojo going again.

 

[BobSalvage]

it's not that simple. Barboza is just an even better striker than him and matches up well with him.

I agree with you I just feel like going into that fight Barboza was a guy who people felt like was someone who Pettis could excel against because he wouldn't likely have to defend takedowns for most of the fight. I think Barboza is one of the most dangerous strikers in all of MMA and now that he got that win over Pettis I am really excited to see him compete against Melendez in Chicago.

I saw him in Chicago last year against Felder and the speed that he would throw his kicks and the sound they made when they connected was just pure insanity

 

[kneeblock]

This is long overdue for Pettis but when did he switch from Roufus to Jackson/Wink?

 

[Robbie Hart]

My penis region does not get excited for any fight.........

 

[Ted Williams' head]

No good to just move down in weight and "run away" from his problems. He needs to learn how to deal with pressure games, because guess what? Frankie Edgar is waiting for him down there.

 

[La Paix]

How is he so susceptible to takedowns (easy for me to ask as I'm laying on my couch).........

I don't think he's that bad, if anything I think he has a lot of confidence off his back and hasn't fought them off as much as he could/should thinking he'll get a chance to sub.

His kicks are key and again I think he throws lots not caring if it goes to the mat due to his solid bjj. Maybe he should rethink his game plans?

 

[Qat]

I think his kryptonite is more so a very heavy pressure game, not giving him space to get his strikes and and don't be scared of getting countered. Bendo is a great wrestler and and Pettis did great against him. Getting taken down isn't his weakness as we've seen he has an active and effect guard game. I'd say making him know you aren't fearing his strikes and keeping the pressure on in the pocket is key. Press on him and get the TD, let him squirm and get up to do it again.

I'd bet that Pettis would do better against Lamas than he would against Bermudez because of the style they bring even though Ricardo is ranked higher.

Agreed, 'just' take him out of his comfort-zone into close range, constant pressure. He is pretty similar to Wonderboy in that regard, but of course, I'm sure both are working at it.

And yeah I think Pettis would all kinds of murder Barao.

 

[Qat]

My penis region does not get excited for any fight.........

Nor anything else.

 

[BobSalvage]

This is long overdue for Pettis but when did he switch from Roufus to Jackson/Wink?

He did part of us camp there for the Edson fight and I think he plans on doing future camps there as well. Is still going to work with Duke and said there is no ill will between them. Just feels like getting out of his comfort zone is what will help him best going forward during fight camp. I know he talked about it a little bit before the Edson fight just not sure where

 

[Robbie Hart]

Nor anything else.