6 burning questions heading into UFC 246

MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle takes you through all the key storylines heading into Saturday night’s major event.

Will a return to lightweight be the answer for Anthony Pettis?

Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 21. (USA TODAY Sports)

Even if former UFC and WEC lightweight champion [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] is not quite the same fighter he once was, his presence on the card still guarantees excitement.

Check out his recent outings: Pettis’ wins over the likes of Michael Chiesa and Stephen Thompson were the types only canny veterans pull off. His losses to Tony Ferguson and Nate Diaz were thrilling battles. Pettis clearly has something left to give.

His return to his lightweight wheelhouse after bouncing everywhere from featherweight to welterweight in recent years seems to indicate he’s getting serious and buckling down for one more big run. And, as is usually the case, Pettis (22-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) isn’t taking an easy fight. He’s being greeted by one of the more underrated competitors at 155 pounds in Diego Ferreira, who enters the bout on a five-fight winning streak. Those wins have come over tough guys without much name value, but now Ferreira (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) is getting exactly the opponent he wants on the platform he’s been waiting for.

This fight seems win-win for the fans: Either a new contender is born, or “Showtime” is reborn. This should be a fun one.

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