UFC 144 Results: Anthony Pettis 'Motivated' for a Benson Henderson Rematch

Coming into his UFC 144 fight against Joe Lauzon, former WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had not really shown his true self in his new home in the Octagon. Perhaps a highlight-reel head-kick knockout early in the first round will finally got him back on the right path.

“Last year was horrible for me. I got one win, one loss,” Pettis admitted to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani in a post-fight interview.

The 155-pounder was dominated in his UFC debut against Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale this past June. Guida’s grinding wrestling style frustrated the highly entertaining Pettis, keeping him from deploying much of his typical arsenal of unique strikes.

Losing that fight seemed to change Pettis a bit as his next fight against Jeremy Stephens was not a typical Pettis victory. Rather than go for the memorable finish, Pettis almost seemed to utilize a game plan similar to the one Guida used on him, opting to stop Stephens’ powerful striking and hold him to the mat for much of the fight.

Pettis walked out with a victory that night, but his win over Lauzon at UFC 144 was much more satisfying.

“This is how I win. I win always with knockouts or a submission,” he said. “I always look for the finish and I was getting too many decisions in my last couple of fights.”

Though he does look for the finish in each fight, Pettis also noted that he was somewhat surprised that he was able to knockout a tough opponent like Lauzon.

“I’m always looking for a knockout, but not against Lauzon. I thought it was going to be more of a ground fight.”

So what changed in this fight? Why did the “old” Pettis decide to show up against Lauzon?

“My hunger, my motivation [changed],” he said, adding that the added spotlight on his career after the “Showtime Kick” had possibly caused some distractions.

Now with back-to-back wins over top opponents, Pettis is ready to take what is rightfully his by fighting the man he hit with that infamous kick, new UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

“Henderson killed it last year, so he deserved it,” Pettis said. “It’s motivation for me."

"I was supposed to get a title shot, there’s no other number one contender. I’m here, I’m ready, I’m not hurt, I’m ready to go.”

The UFC lightweight division has just become very interesting.

For more MMA news, fighter interviews and opinions, follow Nick Caron: @NicholasCaron.