UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT: ANTHONY PETTIS VS. GILBERT MELENDEZ Date: December 2014 Location: Unknown Broadcast: Unknown UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis (-185) Profile: The last WEC lightweight champion and the creator of the “Showtime Kick,” Anthony Pettis (17-2) is one of the most exciting and interesting fighters to come around in a long time. A Duke Roufus pupil, Pettis has learned much from his head coach. Pettis has knockout power, fantastic fight IQ and can submit a good majority of lightweights in the UFC. At only 27 years old,”Showtime” will be a top-level mixed martial artist for a long time. In his last outing at UFC 164, Pettis submitted Benson Henderson with an armbar and now in his first title defence, he will take on former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez this December in what should be an amazing fight between The Ultimate Fighter season 20 coaches. UFC Lightweight Gilbert Melendez (+145) Profile: Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (22-3) finally made it to the UFC in 2013 and looked fantastic in his two fights against Benson Henderson and Diego Sanchez. Although he lost a razor-thin split decision to Henderson, he rebounded with an amazing “Fight of the Year” candidate with Sanchez to jump back to the top of the division. Melendez signed an offer sheet with Bellator and many thought he was on his way to the rival promotion, but the UFC matched the contract and now he is back in the Octagon and he’s been given a gig coaching TUF opposite Anthony Pettis later this year in what has the potential to be an amazing fight. Opening UFC Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Pettis a -185 betting favorite (bet $185 to win $100), while Melendez opened as a +145 underdog (bet $100 to win $145) at Several Bookmakers. These two amazing lightweight fighters will coach the women’s strawweights on TUF season 20 and then fight for Pettis’ UFC lightweight championship in December. As of now, the location of the fight is unknown, but that won’t change the fact this bout has the potential to be Fight of the Year in MMA in 2014. Both fighters are extremely well-rounded in all areas of the game, and they match up very nicely with one another. Although Pettis is more of a finisher and has the flashier striking, there’s no doubt Melendez has excellent boxing himself and he likely has the wrestling edge in this fight. Thus, if Melendez looks for takedowns, he has a very good chance of winning. But if the fight stays standing, he’ll be at the mercy of Pettis’ incredible striking attack. And that’s what makes this fight so fun, because it can play out in so many different ways. Both of these fighters are going to be coming off long layoffs when this fight takes place which makes it even more of a question mark, and for a lot of MMA bettors, the match is likely going to be a pass because it’s so close to call.
