Anthony Pettis is preparing to defend his title at the upcoming UFC 181, but he had strong words for someone other than his opponent recently. Pettis will put his title on the line this weekend against Gilber Melendez, but he ran into some reporters in New York City and had some thoughts about who would win if he fought Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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According to media reports, Pettis said he would have no problem handling the Russian, even though Putin is reportedly a ninth degree black belt in taekwondo. Pettis is also a black belt in taekwondo, although he is "only" a third degree.

Pettis said the difference in degrees would have little bearing on the outcome of the fight, although that may also be because Pettis is 35 years younger than the Russian president. Pettis would also have a height and reach advantage. Putin would seem to have a weight advantage, although his weight is not officially known, so there is no way to know for sure.

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UFC 181 will take place this Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The card is headlined by two title fights, one of which is between Pettis and Melendez. The other fight features a welterweight championship rematch between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.

You can see the entire video interview with Pettis below.