Under the Microscope: Analyzing Lightweight Greats

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Anthony Pettis

* LIGHTWEIGHT RECORD: 10-2 (.833)
* OPPONENT WINNING PERCENTAGE: .750
* LONGEST WINNING STREAK: 9
* RECORD IN MAJOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHTS: 3-0
* FINISH PERCENTAGE: 80
* FINISHED PERCENTAGE: 0
* NOTABLE VICTORIES: Gilbert Melendez, Benson Henderson (twice), Donald Cerrone, Joe Lauzon
* CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Former WEC and current UFC lightweight champion; first fighter to knockout Cerrone; first fighter to finish Henderson and Melendez; author of the “Showtime Kick”

CASE FOR: No lightweight has been as offensively devastating as Pettis has been so far in his career. Forget the “Showtime Kick” for a second, and Pettis still possesses one of the most spectacular highlight reels in MMA today. He has been the first man to dispatch several tough opponents before the final bell, usually within a single round. Add to that a ridiculous finishing rate against top-flight opponents and a Jordan-esque record in title fights, and it is tough to deny “Showtime” a mention alongside the best-of-the-best lightweights. Should he win his next three fights and stretch out the UFC lightweight title defense record, he will throw his name in the mix for being one of the greatest champions of his talent-filled generation in any division.

CASE AGAINST: Time. Pettis looks like he has all the ingredients to carve his name onto the division’s Mount Rushmore when all is said and done, but it is still too early to call it. He should be in the discussion based on his portfolio thus far, but only time will tell if his greatness will be a short-lived flash or a long-burning fire. Two potential hiccups are foreseeable right now. First, he has a physical style that leaves him prone to injury, which does not bode well for sustainable success over the long haul. Next, his loss to Clay Guida and the first-round struggle against Melendez show a distinct chink in his armor that could be potentially exploited by future opponents, namely Khabib Nurmagomedov. There is no shortage of tests for him, so we shall see how his career stacks up when he hangs up the gloves or decides to change weight classes.

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