Anthony Pettis could face Josh Thomson at UFC 166

A.Pettis (photo) should return to the octagon against J. Thomson, in Houston. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Light weight Anthony Pettis was scheduled to challenge the featherweight belt. José Aldo at UFC Rio 4, in August, but a knee injury took him out of the fight. The North American is now showing signs that he should remain in his home category and has already indicated his next opponent: the former Strikeforce champion Josh thomson.

This Tuesday, Thomson posted a photo alongside Dana White on his Instagram. In the caption, the fighter said he was talking to his boss to try to get a fight with Pettis. Hours later, in an exchange of messages on Twitter, Pettis and Thomson signaled that they would be willing to close the fight at UFC 166, which will take place in Houston in October. “@THEREALPUNK (Thomson’s Twitter profile) I heard Texas is cool in October!” The former Strikeforce champion then replied: “I'm willing to pay a visit if you are too.”

Both fighters are coming off impressive knockouts in their previous appearances. Pettis took down Donald Cerrone with a violent kick to the waist, while Thomson debuted in the UFC, becoming the first athlete to knock out Nate diaz.

UFC 166 is scheduled for October 19th at the Toyota Center in Houston. The event will be led by the defense of the heavyweight belt, when the champion Cain Velazquez and the challenger Junior Gypsy will clash for the third time. In addition to the trilogy, two other fights are scheduled for Houston: Hector Lombard vs. Nate Marquardt and Diego Sanchez vs. Gilbert Melendez.

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