There are no guarantees in this game, but beating a contender who's riding a nine-fight win streak would surely be enough to secure a title shot.
Since former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis dropped down to 145 lb, he's made his plans for his new home clear. Pettis wants to become champion and join the promotion's elite club of two-division champions which, at the time of writing, only contains legendary fighters BJ Penn and Randy Couture.
After finishing decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Charles Oliveria in his divisional debut, everything appears to be going according to plan for "Showtime".
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With the future of beltholder Conor McGregor up in the air following his two epic wars against Nate Diaz at welterweight, it is unclear what the next title fight at 145lb is going to be.
The obvious match-up to book is a rematch between McGregor and Jose Aldo. The Brazilian solidified his place as the number-one contender after he comprehensively defeated Frankie Edgar over five rounds at UFC 200 to claim the interim belt.
However, John Kavanagh
admitted that he would prefer if "the Notorious" fought for the lightweight title next. If that were to happen, Aldo would more than likely be bumped up to champion status and the landscape of the division would be a lot clearer.
The prospect of waiting around doesn't interest Pettis though, who told
Inside MMA that he has his sights set for a fight against top contender Max Holloway.
“I’m here to win belts. I know Conor McGregor is here with the title. Jose Aldo has the interim. There’s a couple guys in front of me. (Max) Holloway’s sitting there without an opponent, I think that kind of makes sense as well. Now that we’re here (at 145 pounds) with a win, I’ll adjust and look at the whole division and figure out my path to that title shot.”
Considering that Holloway is riding a nine-fight win streak and holds wins over fighters such as Ricardo Lamas, Jeremy Stephens and Cub Swanson, this could be the match-up that secures the title fight for Pettis, and by the same token, a long overdue crack at the belt for the Hawaiian.
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