Pettis (photo) hopes to defeat Melendez in the first round. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
The long layoff did not shake the confidence of Anthony Pettis. The UFC lightweight champion, who will make his first defense at UFC 181 on December 6, believes he is fully capable of achieving a quick victory against Gilbert Melendez.
“Showtime”, as he is known, considers that Melendez’s style is ideal for his qualities to be displayed in the octagon. “I think he is very basic in striking. He has decent boxing and is tough, but unfortunately for him, that's my thing. If he wants to switch, he won't see me fighting like Diego Sanchez. I think I would surpass him as if he were a beginner. He is still new to striking. His wrestling isn't strong enough to hold me down. Once the fight gets going, it will be a long night for him. Or maybe it will be a short night,” he said, in an interview with the website of the North American broadcaster “FOX Sports”. “It’s MMA, so anything is possible. Having said that, I don’t see the fight going past the first round.”
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Pettis, whose last three fights ended in the first round, said the public still hasn't had time to see all of his skills. "Look Donald Cerrone – he is supposedly one of the best kickboxers in the category and I ended the fight in three minutes. A few kicks to the body and it's over. I was just warming up. If you get a guy like Melendez who is tough enough to survive the first few minutes, I think you'll see the best Anthony Pettis. If that happens, you will see how good I am,” she promised.
Pettis, who hasn't fought since August 2013, will defend his lightweight belt in the co-main fight of UFC 181, in Las Vegas (USA). In the biggest attraction of the night, another fight with the title at stake: John hendricks will face Robbie Lawler in a rematch for the welterweight belt.
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