411 MMA Interviews: Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis
Posted by Jeffrey Harris on 01.11.2011
411's Jeffrey Harris sits down with the last-ever WEC Lightweight Champion for an exclusive interview to talk about his amazing year, possibly losing his UFC title opportunity and more! Check out the full article to see what he had to say!
New UFC lightweight fighter, Anthony "Showtime" Pettis (13-1, MMA; 5-1, WEC; 0-0, UFC) ended 2010 with a bang as he captured the WEC Lightweight Title from reigning champion, Ben Henderson, to take the title and become the final WEC Lightweight Champion. Pettis was originally promised a UFC lightweight title shot against the winner of the fight between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 in a bout that would unify the UFC and WEC titles. Those plans however have now been changed apparently for good since the UFC 125 title fight was ruled a draw and Edgar retained the title. As of now, Pettis does not have a fight lined up for his UFC debut but will more than likely be facing someone else rather than fighting for the title in his immediate future. I recently got to catch up with Pettis to talk about his amazing year and what's to come:
Jeffrey Harris: So did you enjoy your holidays?
Anthony Pettis: Had a great New Year, good Christmas.
Jeffrey Harris: What's this experience been like, winning your first MMA title? And what have you been up to lately?
Anthony Pettis: It's just so crazy. Life's changed a lot ever since [winning] the title. I've just been trying to chill out . . .
Jeffrey Harris: Your highlight reel kick even made it on to ESPN's Sports Center. A year ago, none of us knew who you are. What has it been like to suddenly become a superstar in MMA?
Anthony Pettis: Yeah, a huge year for me in MMA in 2010. Like you said, no one knew who I was last December. And I just got Number 8 Play of the Year on ESPN, so life's changed a lot for me, and it's just one of those things where I'm just grateful for where I'm at.
Jeffrey Harris: I imagine your situation might be a little emotional for you right now coming out of UFC 125, it looks like Frankie Edgar will most likely be defending his UFC lightweight title against Gray Maynard again in a rematch at some point later this year. Edgar is healing a nasal injury and he won't be fighting again for several months. You were positioned to be the #1 contender after winning that fight, but the draw has changed things and it looks like we aren't seeing the WEC/UFC lightweight title unification match at this point. So have you heard anything about the situation and what are your plans right now?
Anthony Pettis: I haven't heard anything about the fight. I don't know what's going down with the fight, but my plans are now to just chill out and see what happens with everything. I have a great camp, some great managers, and whatever they decide for me to do I'll be gladly willing to do it.
Jeffrey Harris: You being a competitor, do you think you might have to take another fight before a title shot and risk your contender status?
Anthony Pettis: That's definitely a possibility. It's something I can't address myself. It's something that my agents, my managers, my coaches will decide for me and it's up to them what they do. And whatever they decide, I'm ready to go.
Jeffrey Harris: And you felt that Edgar won the fight, correct?
Anthony Pettis: Right after the fight, I gave Edgar the fight. First round was for sure 10-8 [for Maynard], but I thought Edgar did enough the rest of the fight to take that fight.
Jeffrey Harris: Let's just say at some point you were to face Edgar or Maynard for the title, how do you feel you match up with either of those opponents?
Anthony Pettis: I was sitting into my seat just super excited about everything man. I think I match up great against both of those guys. I'm going to get my chance. My time is coming, so I'm just going to sit patient and train for what comes.
Jeffrey Harris: I attended WEC 45 and I saw your fight live with Bart Palaszewski which is also your first and only career loss to date. What did you think about that fight and what did you learn from it?
Anthony Pettis: That's my only career loss. He's probably the only guy that ever had me in close danger. It was a big loss and I learned a lot about myself. It put a loss on my record and that's how it went down.
Jeffrey Harris: The growth you've shown in the last year alone has been nothing short of amazing especially against wrestlers like Ben Henderson and Shane Roller. Have you developed your style to work around wrestlers that really like to take their opponents down and grind them out?
Anthony Pettis: It's a little bit of everything. I have a great coach; he has a great style to help me fight wrestlers. I won't lose in the cage, so me not wanting to lose is just part of that. I'm always finding a way to win. I mean, that's what I do, I find a way to win.
Jeffrey Harris: What are you doing to prepare for your UFC debut? I believe the UFC cage is a little bigger than the WEC cage. And do you have to adjust your attitude or mindset going into the UFC?
Anthony Pettis: Not at all man. The only difference is I'm going to have black gloves on, and I guess the level of competition is going to be a lot higher. I see the top 3 or 4 guys in the WEC at 155 are going to do well in the UFC and we're going to do that pretty soon. But it's just a matter of finding out when I'm going to fight and who I'm going to fight and get ready for their style.
Jeffrey Harris: What brought you into MMA?
Anthony Pettis: I started at Tae Kwon Do at the age of five. I did Tae Kwon Do and boxing as a kid. At the age of 16, I lost my dad and I stopped doing martial arts for about two years. After high school, I found mixed martial arts. I found Duke Roufus' gym. I started training there and the rest is history man. I mean the career happened really fast, I'm only 23, so it was a fast career move.
Jeffrey Harris: Duke Roufus has a great camp ith some great fighters coming out of it. What kind of influence has he had in your life and the fighter the fighter you are now?
Anthony Pettis: Oh a lot man. In of the cage, outside of the cage, personally he plays a huge role in my life, in business, everything man. Without him, I wouldn't be where I'm at right now.
Jeffrey Harris: What is getting this new stardom been like in a sport like this? Besides the ESPN highlight, you've also appeared on MTV's World of Jenks. A lot of people know who you are now, and does this help you know who your true friends are?
Anthony Pettis: Being in the spotlight gets really lonely. Things are different. I can't have a lot of friend because you never know what peoples' intentions are. So it can be really lonely, but I think its better that way as a fighter to have a select group of friends you hang around with.
Jeffrey Harris: Now that the fight is over and done with, what do you think of Ben Henderson?
Anthony Pettis: Ben Henderson is a cool ass dude. He's a strong competitor. He's really tough and he's good at what he does. I guarantee he's going to have a great career in the UFC and we'll face each other again.
Jeffrey Harris: What did Henderson do in the fight that gave you the most trouble?
Anthony Pettis: He was just hard to hit. It was surprising me how hard he was to hit clean. I hit him a couple punches but usually I can kick anybody at will. And I only landed that one head kick.
Jeffrey Harris: I see you are now on board with the clothing line from FORM Athletics. I'm definitely on board as it's a nice departure from all the questionable symbols and death and destruction in other MMA related clothing lines.
Anthony Pettis: Everybody uses those skulls and chains and all that crazy lettering. FORM is just nice and clean and professional.
Jeffrey Harris: Are there any sponsors or people you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
Anthony Pettis: I would like to thank AMP Energy, FORM Athletics, Night Rider Jewelry, Duke Roufus Academy, Showtime Sports Bar, and just everybody that supports me, all my fans.
Thank you to Anthony Pettis for taking the time to speak with 411mania.com. Remember to get all the latest and greatest MMA, Movies/TV, Videogames, and Wrestling coverage to add 411mania.com to your bookmarks or save us as your homepage. You can also follow us on:
