A. Pettis (photo) won the lightweight belt in August. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Anthony Pettis is expected to make his first defense of the UFC lightweight belt, against Gilbert Melendez, in the last event of 2014, in December. The information was passed on by the organization's president, Dana White, to the Puerto Rico newspaper “Primera Hora”, during an event held in the city of San Juan.
Until then, the plans released by the company were not specific, saying that the fight should take place in the second half of the year. The two fighters will be the coaches of the 20th season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter, which will feature female strawweight athletes, a category that will be included in the UFC.
There are no further details about the event yet, but it is expected to be held on December 27th, in the North American city of Las Vegas. Anderson Silva it was speculated to participate in the show, but denied any plan to return to fights in 2014.
Pettis won the title by submitting Benson Henderson at UFC 164, in August 2013. However, shortly afterwards, he needed to undergo surgery to repair a knee injury acquired during training.
Former Strikeforce champion, Melendez, in turn, only had two fights in the UFC. Contesting for the title in his debut, he lost to Henderson in a controversial split decision at UFC on FOX 7, in April 2013. Six months later, he overcame Diego Sanchez in a fight considered one of the best of last year.
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