On to the next one! #ufc229 #teampettis #414 #702 pic.twitter.com/YNIljSseI5
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) August 24, 2018
Add Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis to the growing list of crucial lightweight matchups, as the two will fight on the same card as the 155-pound title fight between current champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and former title holder Conor McGregor. MMA Junkie was the first to report the matchup, with Pettis appearing to confirm it via Twitter shortly thereafter.
Ferguson (23-3) is riding an imposing ten-fight winning streak, and actually captured an interim lightweight title after submitting Kevin Lee at UFC 216. “Showtime” had an absolute return to form in his last outing at UFC 226 last month, dropping Michael Chiesa with strikes before submitting him with a slick triangle armbar.
However, the former lightweight champion has remained inconsistent since losing the belt back in 2015. Losses to Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier have been noticeable setbacks, but Pettis (21-7) is now back in the weight class where he was once champion, and his performance against Chiesa was vintage “Showtime.”
UFC 229 takes place on Oct. 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.