MMA

Ricardo Lamas “Pretty Upset” About Aldo vs. Pettis

posted February 7, 2013 by Sean Levinson

Ricardo Lamas (Top)

Lamas Feels Robbed by UFC

Going into his fight with Erik Koch at UFC on FOX 6, featherweight Ricardo Lamas was under the impression that a fourth consecutive victory would earn him a shot at Jose Aldo's championship belt. Koch was the former number one contender before Frankie Edgar entered the picture, therefore it is only natural for Lamas to assume that a win would make him next in line.

This is why Lamas was stunned in disbelief when he learned that he would have to take a back seat to yet another high profile newcomer to the division: Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. Essentially, Pettis's big name, momentum and flashy style overshadowed Lamas's conquest of some of the toughest guys at 145 lbs.

In a recent interview on FUEL TV's UFC Tonight, Lamas voiced his obvious frustrations with the UFC's decision to give Pettis the title fight he feels he rightfully earned.

"I'm pretty upset about it. I'm busting my ass, I put in all this work and I'm not being rewarded. I thought I already established I was the no. 1 contender. If Koch would have beaten me none of this would have happened. If guys are dropping weight classes, they should should earn their spot."

It's hard not to blame Lamas for his reaction to the whole situation. Pettis did say that he didn't want to make a run for the featherweight title as long as his friend and training partner Erik Koch was doing the same thing. And while he has most definitely looked impressive in his last two fights, Pettis did not have to climb the ranks of the division the traditional way like Lamas did to be awarded this title shot.

Lamas will most likely have to beat another highly ranked featherweight before he gets to fight Aldo, and there is a good chance it will be Chan Sung-Jung, who is making his return to the UFC this summer. A win over the Korean Zombie will force Lamas to second guess the idea of not being rewarded for his hard work because the elite status that got Pettis this fight would then belong to him as well.