Overall: 95Striking: 93Ground: 93Submissions: 96 It might seem like a peculiar angle to accuse the undisputed champion of the most talent-rich division in the UFC of being overrated, but the fact of the matter is that we havent really seen Pettis do enough in the UFC to warrant this incredibly high rating. His UFC wins over Donald Cerrone and former champion Benson Henderson were extremely impressive, but it is hard to justify rating a fighter just 5 points shy of perfection based on two wins. Indeed you could argue that Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez have both beaten the former champion Benson Henderson as well (though they both actually lost in highly controversial decisions) yet they havent been rated this highly. Since obtaining the belt, a recurring knee injury has meant that Pettis is yet to make a single title defence perhaps once he defends the belt a few times against the sharks which occupy the 155-lb waters, his rating would be deserved. Pettis rating of 93 striking is completely justifiable the lightweight champion is easily one of the best pure strikers in the UFC. However, that 96 submissions stat is completely off the mark. It feels like EA Sports are so blinded by the slick submission victory which won him the belt that they forget that Pettis is not a submission fighter. Yes, he has had submission victories in his career but 96 makes him one of the best grapplers in the game. Suggested Overall Rating: 92
Hailing from South East London, Sam Heard is an aspiring writer and recent graduate from the University of Warwick. Sam's favourite things include energy drinks, late nights spent watching the UFC with his girlfriend and annihilating his friends at FIFA.
