'I did enough to show why I have the belt', says Anthony Pettis

Pettis (photo) is the UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Disclosure/UFC

UFC 181, held last Saturday (6) in Las Vegas (USA), was a statement event for the lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis. Having been out of action for over a year due to a knee injury, the American took a while to defend his title for the first time, but managed to come back with a bang by submitting Gilbert Melendez in the second round.

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Pettis believes that his performance in the octagon served to further reinforce his image as champion. “I had a good performance. Gil is a tough guy and gave me a hard time in the first round. The first round was very difficult and I tried to avoid falling in every possible way, but I think I did enough to show why I have the belt. As soon as I found my distance, I started to have success”, explained the champion.

Now, Pettis wants to “make up for it” and quickly return to the octagon – and he already accepts his undefeated status Khabib Nurmagomedov as a potential next opponent. “If they want him to come next, so be it. Give him a chance. I’m healthy, so let it be against him,” he said.

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