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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Anthony Petis and Gilbert Melendez may not be outwardly trading barbs into their title matchup at UFC 181, but they're not exactly going to be friendly with one another.
In an interview with MMAJunkie.com, Melendez explained that they simply didn't interact much during filming of The Ultimate Fighter 20. There's not a need to start talking trash arbitrarily, but he also wasn't out to pal around with his professional rival.
"I hope people aren't too disappointed, but there's not much interaction between us," the challenger said. "We're kind of guys who don't talk too much s*** and like to fight more. I don't really want to build a relationship with him. I think he feels the same."
"We've had a little bit of words, but other than that, we just keep it separate. Because we ain't friends. I don't want to like him, and he doesn't want to like me, and we're going to want to beat each other up. Ain't no joke about that. I just don't high-five and hug people like other people."
"I think we're the best salesmen in [focusing on the fight]. We're both fighters, and the fight itself will sell. But a relationship isn't going to work out."
Penick's Analysis: While it doesn't entice fans as much as a heated back and forth verbal rivalry into the fight, this is a case of two of the best 155 lb. fighters in the world simply letting their work in the cage speak for itself. It's a highly intriguing stylistic matchup, because both are extremely well-rounded fighters with supreme grappling and striking skills. That does sell itself, no matter what is or isn't said ahead of time between the two.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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