UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis will be making his first title defense in the main event of UFC on FOX 9 and it will be against Josh Thomson.
UFC officials announced the fight booking on late Monday evening and said that Thomson is getting the title shot as TJ Grant is still recovering from the concussion he suffered earlier this year in training.
UFC on FOX 9 will come from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California with the main card broadcast on FOX and preliminary card on Fox Sports 1.
Pettis (17-2) won the lightweight title last month in his home town of Milwaukee as he defeated Benson Henderson by submission in the first round. It was his fourth straight victory and his first submission win since 2010 when he used a triangle choke to submit Shane Roller at WEC 50.
Thomson (20-5, 1NC) is a former Strikeforce lightweight champion and defeated Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 8 in his return to the UFC. He is 4-2 in his last six fights with the wins coming against Pat Healy, JZ Cavalcante, K.J. Noons and Diaz.
Following the announcement of Thomson getting the title shot, Grant went to Twitter to explain why he will not be ready to compete on December 14th against Pettis at UFC on FOX 9.
Hey people. Quick update. Unfortunately I won’t be fighting Pettis on dec 14. I am still not yet 100% n can’t commit to fight. UFC is going
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013
With someone else instead. It sucks but it is the best for both myself and the UFC. Please don’t worry. Ill be back and if I gotta fight
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013
Someone else to get back to where I wanna be then that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m not bitter. Thanks
— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 17, 2013
The current UFC on FOX 9 card is below and the UFC will be making more fight announcements shortly.
Anthony Pettis (17-2) vs. Josh Thomson (20-5, 1NC)
Urijah Faber (29-6) vs. Michael McDonald (16-2)