TUF 13 Finale Results: 4 Fights Anthony Pettis Should Take Next

After beating Ben Henderson at WEC 53, Anthony Pettis was offered a shot at the UFC lightweight title to unify the two. But Clay Guida last night ruined those chances and sent Pettis reeling to find his next win.

Now that Pettis has lost, it opens the lightweight division up a little bit more. The less-clogged lightweight division could make things more interesting over the next few months.

Some may say last night Guida laid on Pettis. But the fact of the matter is he lost. Even with  “Showtime kick two,” he was still a lose in all three rounds, on all three judges' scorecards.

Can Pettis get back into title contention? What names should he face to earn back that right at the young age of 24 years old?

Here are four names that could get Anthony “Showtime” Pettis back on track.

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George Sotiropoulos

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Current Record: 14-3

George Sotiropoulos was undefeated in the UFC until he met Dennis Siver at UFC 127 in Australia. In that fight, Sotiropoulos was just outmatched by Siver, as Siver just stuffed every takedown attempt G-Sots threw his way.

Now if Pettis can keep this from going to the ground (and as evident last night Pettis has a very good guard) and keep this fight standing, he could definitely pick apart G-Sots.

G-Sots could withstand the storm though, having never been knocked out or subbed in his career, but the stat that stands out, here is his one victory by TKO.

If Pettis can land some nice shots and break down G-Sots over three rounds, I don't see how he won't get the decision victory.

Dennis Siver

Current Record: 18-7

Like I wrote in the last slide, Siver is coming off of a victory against George Sotiropoulos. Now Siver fights next month on July 2nd at UFC 132.

The kickboxing phenomenon can beat you both ways, standing or on the ground, but something tells me Siver might stay away from the ground game and try to beat Pettis standing.

Both fighters want to make a run for the title in 2011 and 2012, and both are prime targets and good names to get one another there.

If Siver gets past Matt Wiman at UFC 132, Siver vs. Pettis could become a possibility.

Melvin Guillard

Current Record: 27-8-2, 1 NC

Melvin Guillard, on top of having wrestling skills, is a devastating striker. Of his 27 career victories inside the ring, 17 come by way of knockout. Most notably, his last fight against Evan Dunham that ended three minutes and earned "Knockout of the Night" honors at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2.

If Pettis could find a way to get Guillard on the ground, he could end the fight with a submission. Seven of Guillards's eight losses have come by way of submission (not to mention his only four losses in the UFC are by submission). With the guard Pettis has, I can't see why that isn't a good possibility.

If Pettis beats Guillard, it gives him a good name to build off of and earn back his title shot soon. It all would depend though on Guillard's outcome against Shane Roller at UFC 132.

Sean Sherk

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Current Record: 36-4-1

You're probably saying right now, "But if Pettis couldn't handle Guida, how can he handle Sherk?" Easy, he might not be able to. Who knows?

But at this day in age when five of the seven UFC champions have some sort of wrestling background, you have to learn how to deal with them. Not to mention most of the guys who are No. 2 in the divisional rankings have some sort of wrestling background.

Wrestlers are seemingly taking MMA by storm and grinding out for the decision, it works and they win.

Sherk is expected to return from injury sometime this summer or in the fall. That gives both Sherk and Pettis time to train.

Sherk is coming off of a "Fight of the Night" performance with Evan Dunham and could be a great start for Pettis to get back on track. If he can handle Sherk, Pettis could make a run for the title. Sherk is no joke; standing or on the ground, he is a great test for Pettis.