It’s Showtime: Four Reasons Anthony Pettis Must Defeat Eddie Alvarez

Anthony Pettis undoubtedly suffered the worst loss of his career when he relinquished his lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185.

The defeat ultimately shed light on the young phenom’s inability to defend multiple takedowns, despite possessing one of the best all-around striking arsenals in the game. It was the first time “Showtime” had fought an opponent willing to rely on ground-and-pound since he lost his promotional debut to grinder Clay Guida.

In light of the five-round beatdown at the hands of the newest 155-pound king, Pettis has sought help from wrestling guru Izzy Martinez. Martinez, who trains the likes of Jon Jones and Holly Holm, has attempted to fix the 28-year-old’s takedown defense leading up to his anticipated war with Eddie Alvarez at UFC on Fight Night 81 this Sunday.

Even though Pettis is relatively young and has only lost once since 2011, his upcoming bout with the very well-rounded Philadelphia brawler is a must win in many regards.

Here are four reasons that attest to that notion.

 

1. Divisional depth

As previously mentioned, the UFC lightweight division is one of the most competitive rosters in all of mixed martial arts. Year-by-year, new athletes with superlative skill sets are thrust into the ongoing title mix. None more recent than Alvarez himself.

That is why it’s extremely important for Pettis to reclaim Octagon glory at UFC Fight Night 81. The depth of the division is too strong for any one fighter, even a former champion with some of the best athleticism in the sport.

Losing at the wrong time in this weight class will often set title hopes back by as much as a year. Guys like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, and Nate Diaz are currently waiting for a guy like Pettis (and Alvarez) to lose their footing. And even though Nurmagomedov has been sidelined with recent training camp injuries, he remains an undefeated top contender.

A win for Pettis on Sunday will ultimately help keep the wolves at bay.

 

2. Career Momentum

Unlike most UFC fighters, Pettis is a bona fide superstar. His worth within the sport is not entirely defined by his actions inside of the cage.

Instead, “Showtime” is able to transcend the sport in a way only a few current UFC entities can imitate (McGregor being one of them). From high-end endorsements to making the cover of a Wheaties box, the Pettis brand has been growing since his make his entrance into the promotion less that four years ago.

While his recent championship collapse opposite RDA was devastating to say the least, if could eventually be looked at as a minor speed bump in the long career of Milwaukee’s finest. But in order to put the pedal to the metal and continue his evolution as a organizational jackpot, Pettis must defeat Alvarez this weekend.

Any other outcome could not only diminish his legacy long term, but also impede his ability to sell fights in 2016 alone.

3. Athletic prime

There’s nobody quite like Pettis in the lightweight division. With superior striking, technique, speed, and athleticism, he’s arguably one of a kind.

What makes his potential moving forward even greater though is the fact that he just entered his athletic prime, which is widely accepted as 27 years of age.

Unlike many other top-flight contenders in the sport today, Pettis began training under head coach Duke Roufus at a very early age (18). In turn, this has allowed the 28-year-old to piece everything together before his body ultimately falls apart.

Past experiences, fight intelligence, and raw technique, have all helped Pettis get to this point in time. But in order to fully cash in on his current athletic capability, he needs to shake off his biggest loss to date and impress like he never has before when he meets Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 81.

Not to mention Pettis been occasionally injured throughout his UFC career, fighting just seven times in five years. To waste this opportunity when his body is at full capacity would truly be an injustice.

4. Conor McGregor

There is simply no discrediting lightweight champion dos Anjos at this point in time. His dominance has been unforgettable to say the least.

But at the end of the day, Conor McGregor represents the greatest opportunity for Pettis moving forward. Not only in the sense of profitability and exposure, but also stylistically.

While there’s a more than good chance that McGregor does not pull off a two-divisional belt heist and loses to RDA at UFC 197, Pettis will undoubtedly fight the Irishman somewhere down the line. But if McGregor is able to knock off dos Anjos and Pettis is able to decisively beat Alvarez, there’s no other matchup to make at 155 pounds.

In order to hold up his end of the deal, “Showtime” needs to capture victory at UFC Fight Night 81. And even if RDA retains his title and a lucrative fight with McGregor is put on ice for the time being, Pettis can at least bargain for a rematch with the Brazilian.