Anthony Pettis thinks Conor McGregor handpicked the easier option with Nate Diaz

Anthony Pettis believes Conor McGregor has a tough fight at UFC 196, but it could have been tougher.

Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis was one the names thrown about as a possible replacement for the injured Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196. Although he campaigned for the red panty night bout against the Notorious, Pettis revealed on the MMA Hour that he knew he was out of the running after being told McGregor was allowed to personally choose his dance partner for the event,

"I spoke to Dana, Joe Silva, but it was all up to him (McGregor). They said RDA pulled out and they are not going to make him fight anybody, they are going to let him choose who he wants to fight. I figured he wouldn't pick me. So, I was a little excited about it, but, there was easier opponents and easier guys for him to fight."

As we all know, the outspoken Nate Diaz got the call and although he was reluctant to call it an easy match up for McGregor, Pettis feels that there were tougher options, such as himself or Donald Cerrone.

"Diaz is a tough fight at 170. Going from 45 to 170, that's a huge jump right there. I mean, top 10 lightweights, no one is easy, but there are quicker routes and easier ways for him to move." "I wouldn't say it's an easy fight for him, but, as far as fighting me or 'Cowboy' who just came off a camp, Diaz was just sitting there for the picking."