This might be interesting especially if Melendez brings along his training buddies Nick and Nate. The fight is compelling as well. Pettis is knocking on the door of P4P recognition. An impressive win over Melendez cements a top 5 spot in my opinion.
I'm excited about this. The fight, not the tv show. It's great they signed a new contract with Melendez. I've thought Gilbert was the best lightweight in the world for a while now. Anthony Pettis is the only guy I'd see beating him now. This should be an awesome fight between the best two fighters in the division. I'm a fan of both guys, so it will be tough seeing one of them lose.
REED Likes Both Guys, but has ALWAYS Found Melendez's VOICE a Bit Irritating...Gonna Be a Looooooooooong Season w/Him COACHING:say:
The TUF concept ran it's course ages ago. I think it's time to put it to bed, or at least come up with something different. That being said, Pettis should have an easy time with Melendez. TFK
REED Loooooooooooved the Last Season of TUF, Although that Probably had MORE to Do w/the Ronda-Meisha CONFLICT, than Anything Else...But Aside from that, REED Likes Getting a "Head Start" of Sorts w/the TUF Fighters that Move On to UFC...
I like the tv show, but I don't like holding up a championship fight for months because of it. They should have two contenders as coaches, not a champion. Pettis might win, but I'd be shocked if he had an easy time with Melendez. Wrestling is Gilbert's strength and Anthony's weakness. It should be a great fight no matter who wins.
I agree with the title fight hold ups, but in this case, Pettis is still a ways off from returning, so we'd have to wait either way. TFK
i haven't watched TUF since season 10. waste of time also a real shame we won't see pettis for another year (this is a minimum if he doesn't hurt himself again
I don't know if REED meant the last season of TUF thinking it was the most recent season, but there is a season going on right now--Australia vs Canada. You do get a heads up for guys who will later be on UFC shows. That helps the UFC keep their main product sellable. In other words, I think TUF is here to stay. Trpl, while Pettis is one of my favorite fighters, I'm not sure that he's p4p top 5? I'd have Jones, GSP, Barrao, and Aldo ahead of him for sure. Then there's Anderson. Then there are a lot of guys who could be ranked ahead of Pettis. I'm curious who you have above him if he whips Melendez? Maybe he is top 5, but I just can't shake his turtle stuck on back performance against Guida. I am curious to see how Pettis does as a coach. I don't see him as a cerebral, coach-like guy. He comes across more like a dedicated, extremely talented trainee.
First, I remove GSP from the equation because he's basically retired. Second, Silva isn't in my top 5 after back to back loses and only being older IF he does fight again. Personally I see it like this: 1) Aldo 2) Jones 3) Barrao 4) Johnson 5) Weidman 6) Velasquez 7) Hendricks 8) Pettis 9) Mendes 10) Condit, Cormier, Gustaffson