White: Pettis-Guida Matchup Under Consideration

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Incoming WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis now has a potential opponent for his UFC debut.

On a Tuesday media conference call to promote the UFC’s Jan. 22 “Fight for the Troops 2” event, UFC President Dana White confirmed that a matchup between Pettis and fan favorite Clay Guida is under consideration.

“It’s not a done deal, but that’s the fight we’re talking about,” said White, who did not specify when or where the bout might take place.

Heavy.com on Monday reported that the Pettis-Guida clash was being targeted for either UFC 130, which takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, or UFC 131, an event rumored to be held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on June 11.

After defeating Benson Henderson in a 25-minute classic at WEC 53 on Dec. 16, Pettis was crowned the final WEC 155-pound champ and guaranteed a crack at the winner of UFC champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard’s Jan. 1 rematch at UFC 125. After Edgar and Maynard fought to a five-round split draw and UFC brass announced that the pair would square off once again before Pettis’ title shot, “Showtime” and his team made it clear that the 23-year-old would not sit out as Edgar and Maynard complete their trilogy.

Little known at the start of 2010, Pettis rose to prominence with four impressive victories in the past 12 months. The Duke Roufus-trained fighter became an overnight sensation when he landed a spectacular, off-the-cage kick against Henderson in the final minute of their title bout.

Once viewed as the UFC’s premier l55-pound gatekeeper, Guida has surged into title contention with his last three outings. After submitting Shannon Gugerty and breaking the jaw of Rafael dos Anjos in 2010, “The Carpenter” began his new year with an impressive guillotine submission of former Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at UFC 125. Guida holds an overall UFC record of 8-5 since entering the promotion in 2006.