Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis wants to join in the new trend of moving up in weight class.
Pettis took to Twitter to tease a move up to welterweight. Pettis also issued a call out for a suitable dance partner. The fight if materialised, has the potential to explode the roof of any arena as Pettis wants two-time welterweight title challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson as his first assignment.
Wonderboy took to Twitter earlier today to address Pettis’ call out. Not so surprisingly, he’s up for the challenge and ready to welcome Pettis. (via Instagram):
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRS-tThsx9/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1552kn6zishd6
Wonderboy on the other hand, has had an unsuccessful stint with 1-2-1 in his last four fights. Wonderboy took on former title challenger Darren Till in his last fight back in May last year. He lost via a controversial decision. Wonderboy was slated to fight former champion Robbie Lawler in January 2019. That obviously didn’t materialise as Lawler is booked to welcome former Bellator and ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren at UFC 235 in May.
Pettis (21-8 MMA, 8-7 UFC) on an other hand, has been on a struggle as well since losing his belt to Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 185 back in March 2015. Pettis is 3-5 since losing his belt, including an unsuccessful stint at featherweight where he missed weight once and injured his arm in a title fight against Max Holloway. Pettis has been alternating wins and losses since moving back to lightweight. Pettis however suffered a rib injury in his fight against Dustin Poirier and reinjured his arm in his last fight against Tony Ferguson. Moving up in weight might help Pettis recuperate better.
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UFC: Anthony Pettis teases welterweight showdown against Stephen Wonderboy Thompson