Anthony Pettis on loss to Eddie Alvarez: “I had focused too much on my wrestling”

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is coming off a tough split-decision loss to former Bellator champ Eddie Alvarez, which took place at January’s ‘UFC Fight Night 81’ event in Boston.

The loss served as “Showtime’s” second setback in as many fights, which marks the first time in his career that he has suffered back-to-back defeats.

Pettis joined Ariel Helwani on yesterday’s edition of The MMA Hour where he discussed his loss to Eddie Alvarez and what he did wrong in the lead-up to that fight:

“I just focused to much on my wrestling. Most of my camp was based around wrestling.  And you know, I’m not a wrestler. I’m not going to ‘catch-up’ to these wrestler guys. I just have to go back to how I used to do it, avoid the wrestling by using knees and sprawling and by utilizing my striking. Not try and become a wrestler.”

Anthony Pettis will return to the octagon at April’s UFC 197 pay-per-view event where he will meet fellow striker Edson Barbosa.  Who do you have winning that key lightweight showdown? Sound off PENN Nation!