"Two of the baddest dudes in the fight business are going to fight at 145 pounds," White said. "These guys are two of the most amazing, gravity-defying athletes in the sport. I am so pumped for this fight."
Ricardo Lamas, who knocked out Pettis' teammate Erik Koch two weeks ago, had been promised the next shot at the featherweight belt. Pettis, a lightweight for his entire career, had been promised the next shot at the lightweight belt after champion Benson Henderson faces Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.
[Kevin Iole: Frankie Edgar should drop down another weight class]
On Monday, Pettis used his Twitter account to say he was tired of waiting.
I'm not stoping my quest for the lightweight belt jus stuck waiting so y not cut a lil weight and take that belt 2... 2013 is my year!!!
? Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 4, 2013
And now he will get what he wants. While there's no doubt Pettis-Aldo will be an exciting bout, Lamas was granted the next title shot, and did nothing to lose his shot except not send a text to White. He can commiserate with Johny Hendricks, the welterweight who earned a title shot but then was passed over for Nick Diaz.
Let this be a lesson to every fighter who wants a chance at the belt: the squeaky wheel gets the oil and a shot to be a champion. If you've heard that you're the no. 1 contender, don't stop campaigning until that bout agreement is signed. Text White. Do interviews. Use Twitter to continually call out the champion. It may have a pro wrestling-flavor, but it's clearly what the UFC wants.
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