Trending
UFC 206 now has a new main event. What was originally scheduled to be a rematch for the Light Heavyweight title between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson had to be scrapped, with DC getting injured a few days ago.
UFC quickly bumped the Pettis – Holloway Featherweight bout as the show headliner, and in an interesting, yet inevitable move, stripped Conor McGregor off the featherweight title. Pettis and Holloway will battle for the interim UFC Featherweight strap, while Jose Aldo has been named the new UFC Featherweight Champion.
The winner of Pettis – Holloway will fight Jose Aldo for the undisputed UFC Featherweight title soon, and a couple of days ago, the two fighters took part in the UFC 206 media conference call.
I had the opportunity to ask Pettis a couple of questions during the call mentioned above, as he spoke about cutting weight to get down to 145lbs, and how he didn’t completely understand the difficulty of cutting so much weight in his previous fight. Pettis also talked about fighting Holloway, and facing Jose Aldo for the undisputed title.
During the conference call, Pettis also expressed his interest in becoming a two-division champion: winning the UFC Featherweight title and then moving up to the 155-pound division once again to capture the Lightweight strap.
Anthony, your debut at 145 lbs raised quite a few eyebrows when a photo of you started making rounds during fight week. How difficult or challenging is it for you to cut down to 145? Or is it something that has been exaggerated?
Yeah, I know, I think it’s definitely exaggerated. I think the first time, I didn’t prep my body the best that I could. I thought it would be easier than what it was. This time around, I have had my nutritionist out with me for the last ten weeks. I feel like I got done with my weight cut the right way this time.
We’ll see (on) December 10th how it goes, but every weight cut is tough, no matter (what), a weight cut is a weight cut. So, I don’t feel like it’s impossible for me to make that weight, or (that it is) out of reach. I’ve done it once, and I’m going to do it again on December 10th, and I will see how I can build on it.
You’ve already talked about the interim title on the MMA Hour. But what are your thoughts on getting back into the title picture, where many people believe you deserve to be, especially after your impressive victory against Oliveira?
Yeah, you know, fighting a guy like Max Holloway, makes that case stronger, I guess. Beating Oliveira - I won one fight, you know? Max Holloway is the guy that is on a tear right now and is probably the next guy that was going to fight for the title at 145 pounds.
That’s why I set my goals and eyes on him. I want to fight Max Holloway and get to that position he is in. He took the fight, and here we are, a week and a half out from our fight.
You can listen to the entire conference call below. Our conversation with Pettis starts at the 12:30 mark.
For latest MMA news, spoilers and rumours visit our Sportskeeda MMA section.
