Pettis poised for shot at UFC belt — maybe

An impressive knockout win on national television likely will be enough to earn Anthony Pettis a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight belt.

But Pettis knows better than anyone that anything can happen in the UFC.

After knocking out Donald Cerrone with a liver kick in the first round Saturday in Chicago, the 26-year-old Pettis pleaded for a shot at the belt.

"What do I need to do to get this title shot?" he asked in the cage while looking at UFC president Dana White.

The answer might be to be patient and hope things go right this spring.

Pettis thought he had earned a shot at the UFC belt in December 2010, when he beat Benson Henderson in the final World Extreme Cagefighting bout before the organization merged with the UFC.

He was scheduled to fight the winner between Gray Maynard and then-champion Frankie Edgar. The problem was, Maynard and Edgar fought to a draw and the rematch was delayed by injuries.

Pettis was left to either wait an extended period or take a fight. He chose to fight Clay Guida, and he lost the bout and his spot in the rankings.

He doesn't plan on making that mistake again.

"If (I have) a guaranteed title shot, I'm waiting," Pettis said. "That's what my goals are. That was my goal this year.

"I'm going to get what's mine this time."

White stopped short of assuring Pettis of that opportunity.

Henderson, now champion, is likely to fight Gilbert Melendez, the Strikeforce champion who is coming over to the UFC, on the next Fox show April 20 in San Jose, Calif.

"I think the Melendez fight is pretty set, but (Pettis is) next," White said. "I can't say enough things about the kid tonight - that was incredible.

"Let's see how this plays out. You never know what's going to happen."

White said there are always unknowns, which is largely why he doesn't like to fully commit to future title fights. He also is leery about fighters sitting out an extended period waiting to fight for a belt. Still, he understands why some fighters prefer to wait when they have earned that chance.

"I've seen both go the wrong way," he said.

Ricardo Lamas is in the same position after a big knockout Saturday of Erik Koch, who was previously considered the top contender.

Lamas won't have to wait as long for the division to clear up. Jose Aldo defends the featherweight belt against Edgar on Saturday night at UFC 156 at Mandalay Bay. Lamas might get the next shot at the winner.

■ SILVA IN SPOILER ROLE - Alistair Overeem's return to the octagon Saturday at UFC 156 is pivotal. A win over Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva will set up Overeem to fight Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight belt in potentially a hugely profitable fight for the UFC.

Should Silva win, there could be chaos. He was pummelled by Velasquez last year and isn't likely to get another chance this soon with a belt on the line.

Silva won't just roll over, though.

"(Overeem) is a tough guy. He's a great striker. He's the best striker in the UFC," Silva said. "But this is not kickboxing. It's MMA. I'm aware and ready for any situation, and I'm going to win this fight."

■ RAMPAGE WRINKLE - Quinton "Rampage" Jackson remains steadfast that his loss to Glover Teixeira on Saturday was his last UFC appearance. His contract with the organization has expired, but it won't completely be his decision on whether he can compete elsewhere.

White said the UFC retains a right to match any offer Jackson receives.

"I feel like we've done everything in our power for Rampage to make him happy," White said. "If there's somebody out there who can treat him better than we have, that's awesome.

"But I do have the right to match."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.