Anthony Pettis on McGregor callouts: “All these guys are trying to take his shine”

Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis joined the Jon Anik and Kenny Florian podcast this week and spoke about fighters trying to steal Conor McGregor’s shine and about the potential McGregor vs Dos Anjos bout for the lightweight strap

“It’s great,” said Pettis. “To see the guy talk the talk and then beat Aldo like that. We’ve had some great guys go down there and try to beat Jose Aldo and it didn’t work. [McGregor] comes along talking the talk and then he walks the walk. You’ve got to respect that. It’s great for the lighter weight classes. He’s bringing in the numbers like he says. People want to watch him fight.”

“I feel it’s annoying to see everybody try to call him out now,”

“The guy made his name on his own and all these guys are trying to take his shine. I guess that’s the sport. Somebody comes in and creates their name, their buzz gets big and somebody else tries to steal it.”

“I don’t know,” Pettis said of McGregor vs Dos Anjos.

“I didn’t pick him to beat Jose Aldo but he surprised me with that first-round knockout. If he has the right style? He is a southpaw. Last time we saw Dos Anjos fight a southpaw it was Nate Diaz, but he doesn’t really have the kicks. I guess stylistically it’s a good matchup but it’s a different ballgame at 155.

“These guys aren’t the 145ers. I don’t think Jose Aldo would move up to 155 because it’s a whole different ballgame up here. Look at the top five, top 10, everyone is a challenge. There’s no easy fights at 155.”

Quotes via MMAFighting