UFC
Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez both angling for fight with former UFC Lightweight Champ Anthony Pettis
Aug 26, 2015 - 10:15:07 PM Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez both angling for fight with former UFC Lightweight Champ Anthony Pettis

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Anthony Pettis is targeting his return to the cage for December, but the options for his next fight have begun dwindling down with a number of recent fight bookings.

It seems to be down to two potential opponents, both of whom have expressed interest in the matchup according to the latest UFC Tonight on Fox Sports 1: Edson Barboza and Eddie Alvarez.

Barboza has now fought 13 times in the UFC over a five year run, and he picked up his tenth win in the Octagon last month with a decision over Paul Felder at UFC on Fox 16. The flashy and talented Brazilian striker has had some stylistic issues, but remains as dangerous as any on the feet.

As for Alvarez, the former Bellator Lightweight Champion dropped a decision to Donald Cerrone in his UFC debut last year, but edged past the last man Pettis defeated - Gilbert Melendez - in his most recent outing.

Pettis is looking to get back to the top as quick as possible after losing the UFC Lightweight Championship in March, and a win over either name presented would put him on track.

Penick's Analysis: Both are intriguing matchups. Stylistically, the Barboza matchup is likely to be more of a strict striking affair, but a loss to Barboza for Pettis would hurt him more than a loss to Alvarez. The Alvarez fight is also likely to be aesthetically pleasing, as Alvarez is typically an action fighter who has no qualms about taking hits to land his. Both would make for another significant addition to that already stacked UFC on Fox 17 card in Orlando, so now it just comes down to what the UFC wants to go with.