A. Pettis (photo) returns to lightweight and faces D. Ferreira in January. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC
The life of Anthony Pettis in MMA it has been a real ferris wheel. With defeat to Nate diaz In his last appearance, when he played in the welterweight division (up to 77kg), the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) chose to return to his old category to try to find his way back to victory. For his next challenge, the North American must face the Brazilian Diego Ferreira, on January 18, at the UFC 246. The information was released by 'MMA Junkie'.
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The North American was, for a time, considered one of the organization's main names. With convincing and representative victories over renowned opponents, such as Donald Cerrone and former champion Ben henderson, the athlete, between 2011 and 2015, remained undefeated in the company and reached the title.
The athlete's decline began precisely in the match against a Brazilian. In 2015, in his second title defense, 'Showtime' was dominated by Rafael dos Anjos in a confrontation that represented the main fight of UFC 185. After losing his number one spot, the North American did not recover his good form and accumulated six defeats in the last 10 appearances.
Pettis risked a backlash when he switched forces against Stephen Thompson, in the main fight of the UFC Nashville. On that occasion, the athlete pulled out one of his plastic strikes and, after a flying punch, dispatched his compatriot and added another incredible knockout in his career.
The good moment, however, was short-lived. Almost five months later, the combatant was selected to face Nate diaz, in a duel that marked the rival's return after a three-year career hiatus. In a clash at UFC 241, Anthony was easy prey for Diaz, who ended up winning a unanimous decision and putting Pettis in a complicated situation again.
Against Diego, in addition to the obligation to win again, the North American will have the duty to put an end to the Amazonian's run of five consecutive Ultimate victories.
In a great phase, Ferreira doesn't know what it's like to lose since his setback against the former interim champion of the category, Dustin poirier, almost five years ago.
Diego last played in UFC 242, when he beat Mairbek Taisumov in a unanimous decision by the judges. A victory over the former champion in January could put the Brazilian on the company's radar within one of the most competitive divisions in Ultimate.
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