11 Predictions For UFC 181

2. Anthony Pettis (C) vs. Gilbert Melendez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFcLCrSPT7A Weight Class: Lightweight The first of two title fights on the card has us talking about ring rust once again. Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez have been serving as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 20, and here they meet in the coach's fight with the lightweight title on the line. Pettis hasn't been in the cage since he submitted Benson Henderson and took Smooth's title back in August 2013, his second time taking a title from Henderson (the first time, back in the WEC, was a five-round decision that featured the infamous cage kick). Melendez has been off a while waiting for his title shot, after a war with Diego Sanchez back in October 2013. In this case, because Melendez opted to sit out, the ring rust for each fighter may just cancel itself out. So where does that leave us? Well, Melendez has only lost to Benson Henderson (is his first title shot) since 2009. Pettis has lost only to Clay Guida since 2009, in his UFC debut. That was a different Guida, and all things considered, these are two very different fighters with very different styles. Ultimately, both should have excellent cardio. Pettis should have a speed advantage, and flashier striking, but it's actually hard to remember a time when the challenger has such a great shot at winning UFC gold. Melendez has volume striking, a solid chin, and if he can make this a dogfight without getting knocked out, it could play in his favour. His loss to Henderson was a win in many fan's eyes. We're siding with Melendez on this one, by decision.