Anthony Pettis on opponent Eddie Alvarez: 'I don't think he's even a challenge'

Anthony Pettis

Former UFC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis handily defeated Donald Cerrone and Gilbert Melendez when he crossed paths with the top UFC contenders.

When Pettis’ (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) UFC Fight Night 81 opponent, Eddie Alvarez (26-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC), shared the octagon with those same fighters, he lost to Cerrone in convincing fashion and narrowly beat Melendez.

Although MMA is a sport with countless variables and comparing matchups is rarely an effective tool in judging fights, Pettis said Alvarez’s first two UFC appearances left much to be desired.

Pettis, No. 3 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA lightweight rankings, said if No. 6-ranked Alvarez shows up at the FOX Sports 1-televised event on Jan. 17 at Boston’s TD Garden in a similar form to his previous bouts, he expects a pain-free night of work.

“I’m focused on Eddie Alvarez, another good fighter, (but) based on his last two performances, I’m not that impressed,” Pettis told MMAjunkie at a recent UFC Q&A. “If I’m in there 100 percent and I’m healthy and fight the way I fight, I don’t think he’s even a challenge.”

Eddie Alvarez

Pettis’ confidence has apparently not been shaken by the results of his most recent bout. The 28-year-old dropped the lightweight belt to Rafael dos Anjos in a lopsided decision loss at UFC 185 in March and hasn’t competed since.

“Showtime” underwent elbow surgery following the title loss, and the matchup with Alvarez will mark his return from a 10-month layoff. Pettis said the time away from the octagon has been beneficial because it allowed him to reassess his training methods and discover the approach best suited for his preparation needs.

“I’m going to go back to focusing on what I’m good at; last fight I was trying to focus on watching the wrestling and all that stuff,” Pettis said. “When I’m out there focusing on what I’m going to do and not what they’re going to do, I feel like I have the best results. Obviously we’re going to watch a little bit of film and how he stands, but other than that, it’s just me being myself.”

Pettis hasn’t been forced to rebound from a loss since Clay Guida upset him in his UFC debut in June 2011. Pettis did well that time, rebounding with a five-fight winning streak that included capturing and defending the 155-pound belt.

His ultimate goal is to reclaim the title. He’s traded barbs with dos Anjos in the months following the title loss, and a victory over Alvarez could strengthen an argument for a rematch..

“Dos Anjos is definitely on the radar,” Pettis said. “After a fight like that, you got to get that back.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 81, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.