Pettis laments McGregor ‘Shine Stealers’
“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.”
Future UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans introduced the term Swagger Jacking to the MMA masses. Now former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has a new one – ‘Shine Stealing’. The guilty parties, in his telling, are everyone calling out UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor.
Pettis appeared recently on UFC commentators Kenny Florian and Jon Anik podcast, and discussed McGregor’s success in 2015
“It’s great,” said Pettis, as transcribed by David St. Martin for MMA Fighting. “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.”
Shine Stealer #1 is UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos. The plan as it stands is for McGregor to move up and challenge for the 155 title, before dropping back to defend at 145 vs. Frankie Edgar. Pettis is a little dubious of McGregor’s chances vs. RDA.
“I don’t know,” said Pettis. “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.”
Anthony Pettis fights Eddie Alvarez on Jan. 17 at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz.