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At the top of that list is Lightweight Champ Gilbert Melendez, who blasted through Tatsuya Kawajiri last month and immediately called out the top guys in the UFC's lightweight division. But he's not going to be the next in line for a shot at the UFC Lightweight Champion.
That shot remains Anthony Pettis', provided he can get past Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale this June.
UFC President Dana White on Saturday night confirmed that Pettis is still getting the shot with a win over Guida, despite the efforts of Jim Miller and Melendez in their recent fights. Pettis was targeted for a title shot upon entering the UFC after capturing the WEC Lightweight Championship in December, but when Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar fought to a draw at UFC 125 Pettis was left on the outside.
With Edgar and Maynard facing each other once again later this month at UFC 130, Pettis will take on the winner later in the year should he defeat Guida in Las Vegas on June 4.
Penick's Analysis: The lightweight division remains a crowded landscape, with a lot of fighters wanting to stake their claims at the top. Pettis makes for a worthy contender simply off the name value he's bringing with the highlight reel kick in the Henderson fight in December, and while he doesn't have the best resume of any top contender, the UFC will still be going with that kick and a win over Guida to set him up for the shot. Melendez and Miller will both likely be in line in short order, though that depends on how the UFC handles bringing guys in from Strikeforce. Still, Pettis will make for an exciting challenger if he gets past Guida, and that title fight later in the year will be an excellent win regardless of who wins at UFC 130.
Mike Brown Junie Browning Paul Buentello Josh Burkman Mikey Burnett
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