Champ Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael dos Anjos headlines UFC 185 in Dallas

Anthony Pettis

Rafael dos Anjos (23-7 MMA, 12-5 UFC) will be the next fighter to challenge UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (18-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), UFC officials today announced.

The fight will headline March’s UFC 185 pay-per-view event in Texas.

UFC 185 takes place March 14 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Pettis is ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA lightweight rankings (and No. 5 pound-for-pound). Dos Anjos is ranked No. 3 in the division.

Pettis recently earned a second-round submission victory over Gilbert Melendez for his fifth straight win and first title defense. The 27-year-old Roufusport fighter and former WEC champ submitted then-champ Benson Henderson to win the title in his bout prior to Melendez. He’s won four consecutive fight-night bonuses while also defeating the likes of Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon.

Dos Anjos, meanwhile, has made a slow but steady climb to top-contender status. The 30-year-old Brazilian has won three straight fights since a decision loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, and he’s now 8-1 in his past nine fights. Prior to earning a decision victory over Nate Diaz in his most recent fight, he posted back-to-back knockout wins over Jason High and Benson Henderson.

For more on UFC 185, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.