UFC
UFC Champ Anthony Pettis has 2015 mapped out for three desired title defenses
Dec 18, 2014 - 1:45:17 PM UFC Champ Anthony Pettis has 2015 mapped out for three desired title defenses

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis is hoping to defend his title three times in 2015, and he's got his timeline mapped out for the year as well.

According to a report from Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's UFC Tonight program, Pettis wants his next fight in March or April as expected, then wants to fight in July, then once more before the year is out.

The first matchup is likely to be Rafael dos Anjos, with Khabib Nurmagomedov in line for the July matchup given his injury delays. Of course, Nurmagomedov doesn't believe Pettis gets past dos Anjos if that fight happens next.

Penick's Analysis: This is the right timeline for Pettis if he can stay healthy as he intends to do. If he beats dos Anjos and then Nurmagomedov without any setbacks, there's an outside chance of four fights in the year, because late September and then December could be possibilities if he wants to fight and if the UFC can get him fights. That would be pushing it, certainly, and fans want to see him actually bounce back by March here first before getting too invested, but that's the clear plan to this point.