The anticipated withdrawal of Rafael dos Anjos from UFC 196 has got plenty of challengers looking to get their red panty night with Conor McGregor.
While RDA’s injury-enforced absence is yet to be officially confirmed, it seems to be everything but.
Northern Irishman Norman Parke has already put his name forward, but now a man who has previously held the belt is gunning for another shot.
I'm down to throw down!!! @dukeroufus @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 23, 2016
Anthony Pettis was the last UFC Lightweight champ before Dos Anjos, surrendering the belt when he lost to the Brazilian at UFC 185.
But he’s clearly keen for a chance to reclaim that honour, even if it would likely be on an interim basis.
Pettis has been very vocal about McGregor in the past, warning the Irishman that the new weight division represents a “totally different world”.
The American holds an 18-4 record in the promotion, having lost both of his last two fights – against RDA in March last year, and then to Eddie Alvarez in Boston in January.
It has been reported that UFC top brass are keen to keep McGregor on the UFC 196 bill with a new opponent, but no official confirmation has been issued.
