Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (17-2) will make his first defense of his UFC Lightweight Championship this Saturday as he takes on the former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (22-3).
Pettis is coming off of a year and a half layoff due to a knee injury suffered in training. The injury led to the cancellation of his first title defense at UFC on Fox 9 against Josh Thomson. Anthony Pettis won the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 164 by submitting then champion Benson Henderson by arm-bar in the first round.
Melendez earned his title shot with a decision win over TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas. The epic brawl won the Fight of the Night award and was declared Fight of the Year by various media outlets.
Melendez’s contract expired with the UFC in early 2014, and instead of re-signing with the UFC, signed with competitor Bellator MMA. The UFC had the option to match or better the offer that Bellator presented, and did so by offering the Cesar Gracie member a title fight and a coaching gig on TUF 20.
Melendez received a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2013. losing a close and controversial decision to Benson Henderson. Melendez was awarded the title shot when Strikeforce dissolved into the UFC in 2012, with Melendez being the last and longest reigning Lightweight Champion in the company’s history.
Pettis also has a history of being a champion in another organization, being the last Lightweight Champion in WEC history after beating Benson Henderson by decision. In the bout, Pettis threw what is now known as the “Showtime Kick”, knocking down Henderson with seconds left of the fight after bouncing off of the cage and landing a high-kick.
Pettis is known for his flashy, kickboxing style in the octagon, and has earned two Knockout of the Night awards and one Submission of the Night award in the UFC. Pettis trains with Team Roufusport in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Gilbert Melendez has a black-belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie, but is known more for his stand-up fighting and 5 round wars against the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Josh Thomson and Benson Henderson. Melendez trains with a group known as the “Scrap Pack” which includes Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz and Jake Shields.
UFC 181 takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Mandalay Events Center and is headlined by two title fights, with Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler for the UFC Welterweight Championship serving as the main event.
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