Anthony Pettis news reveals that "Showtime" will be defending his UFC lightweight title on December 6th in Las Vegas, against top contender Gilbert Melendez as he admits criticism "gets under my skin."
The 27-year old champion is currently shelved due to an injury, but is currently shooting the 20th season of the UFC's hit reality series The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) as a coach.
In his appearance on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour show, "Showtime" explained how he values the opportunity given to him to coach in TUF.
"The TUF thing I something I couldn't say no to," he said about the Anthony Pettis news. "It's one of those things that, it boosts my star power, I use it as the opportunity to train at other places."
The reigning champion also expressed his appreciation towards the female fighters he mentored during his stint as a coach in the show.
"I show up to gym the first day to see who we're coaching, and I was impressed," Pettis said. "These girls have skills. I'm pretty judgmental when it comes down to real skills, I can tell if somebody is tough and they think they can fight of if they actually have real skills."
"Showtime" last fought then champion Benson Henderson in August 2013 at UFC 164. Like he did the first time they met in the now defunct World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in December 2013, Anthony Pettis once again defeated "Smooth" via first round submission, and eventually winning the 155-pound title.
The Anthony Pettis news also reveals that "Showtime" is affected by the criticisms thrown at him, except by his rival, Benson Henderson.
"It does get under my skin at times," Pettis continued. "Except when Ben Henderson the one doing it, because I beat him twice. That's what was supposed to happen. The UFC's job is to make challengers, not champions."
"I can't sit back and chuckle it off," he added. "It gets under my skin."
