UFC stars Anthony Pettis and Stephen Thompson have agreed, in principle, to a welterweight showdown — but is the UFC interested?
Far too often, the MMA community harps on fighters not taking the opportunity to call out opponents when given the opportunity. Anthony Pettis, however, seems to have thrown his name in the hat for a rather interesting foray to welterweight. The former UFC lightweight champion, who once attempted to drop to featherweight for an interim title shot, has called out Stephen Thompson. And for his part, ‘Wonderboy’ thinks a showdown with ‘Showtime’ sounds swell.
“Heard somebody is looking for a fight. What you guys think?,” Pettis posted on Instagram just yesterday. “Take my talents to WW and take on the boy? Comment [below], let me know if y’all get excited for this one.”
Thompson was all about the idea in his reply a day later. “For the fans! If @showtimepettis wants to come try out 170 y’all know I’m ready. We both got highlight reels, let’s do it!” he responded on his own Instagram account.
While fighters calling each other out on social media barely qualifies as news, it’s worth noting that it’s rare to see two fighters on the same page, in a respectful fashion, and with a rather novel booking proposition. Pettis hasn’t exactly been lighting it up at lightweight of late, but he remains a popular, talented fighter — one who performs best opposite fellow strikers. Thompson, having come up short against Tyron Woodley twice (a draw, then a decision loss), is also in limbo at welterweight.
So, how about a fun fight then?
