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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – For the past couple of years, Anthony Pettis has been trying to figure out what makes sense.

When Pettis lost his lightweight title to Rafael dos Anjos in March 2015 at UFC 185, “Showtime” stuck around in the division for another two fights, only to lose to eventual champion Eddie Alvarez and top contender Edson Barboza back to back.

That prompted a move to featherweight, where Pettis choked out Charles Oliveira at UFC on FOX 21 last year before failing to make weight for an interim title fight with current undisputed champion Max Holloway, who won by third-round TKO.

Where did all this leave Pettis? Wanting to return to 155 pounds, which he did in July and picked up a decision win over Jim Miller at UFC 213.

Now Pettis (20-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) gears up for a UFC Fight Night 120 headliner on Saturday vs. Dustin Poirier (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC), which takes place at Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, Va., and airs on FS1 following prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Simply put, the matchup just makes sense to Pettis.

“They actually gave me the choice. They said, ‘Who do you want to fight next?’ Dustin Poirier made sense coming off that Eddie Alvarez fight,” Pettis told MMAjunkie on Wednesday. “Eddie was booked or about to be booked for ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ That left Dustin open. … I’ve been watching his style for a long time. For me it made sense. I just got done with a southpaw training camp in Jim Miller. Let’s move right to Dustin Poirier, another southpaw, and I can just refine these skills.”

Poirier enters the bout after a controversial finish with Alvarez at UFC 211. The fight ended when Alvarez landed illegal knees to the downed Poirier, resulting in a no-contest.

Poirier originally wanted a rematch with Alvarez but eventually saw the upside in a match with Pettis, who gives Poirier credit for having a “complete fighting style.” But he also feels the matchup suits him just fine.

“I feel like my fighting style is a little different than everyone he’s faced in the lightweight division,” Pettis said. “He’s never felt a guy like me, where I can have that many tools and that many options when it comes to striking. It’s not just a boxing match for me. I got the kicks. I got the takedowns if I need them. And I have the experience. I’ve fought so many five-round fights. It’s not even a big deal to me anymore.

“I think I definitely have a lot of advantages. I just have to fight my game plan. I can’t let him get his confidence. When he fights going forward, that’s when we see a dangerous Dustin Poirier. When he’s on his heels, that’s when he has problems.”

To hear more from Pettis, watch the video above.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 120, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

Filed under: Featured, News, UFC, Videos