Anthony Pettis vs. Clay Guida finalized as main event for TUF 13 finale

Anthony Pettis is riding high off of his Matrix-like highlight kick and signature victory over former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, and was expecting his first appearance in the Octagon to be for UFC gold.

Pettis (13-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who will always hold the distinction as the final WEC lightweight champion, will have to wait on that UFC title shot, and in addition, will have to go through Clay Guida (28-11 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to get it. Pettis and Guida will face off as the main event at the Ultimate Fighter 13 finale.

The information was confirmed by UFC president Dana White today during a Q&A session prior to this weekend’s UFC Fight Night 23 event.

Although no date was given for the bout, MMA Junkie confirmed that the fight will be the main event at the Ultimate Fighter 13 finale which takes place June 4 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and airs live on Spike TV.

The latest installment of The Ultimate Fighter will feature welterweights, and will be coached by Junior Dos Santos and Brock Lesnar.

Pettis was given the opportunity to get his UFC title shot, but only after the winner of the third fight between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard was decided. Pettis instead chose to stay busy and face off against a top contender, and he will get what he asked for in the charismatic and popular UFC draw, Clay “The Carpenter” Guida.

Pettis isn’t the only fighter in this bout to come in with momentum. Guida will be gunning for his shot at the UFC lightweight strap also, and is coming off a stunning submission victory over former PRIDE superstar and lightweight champion Takanori Gomi at UFC 125. Guida not only walked away from that fight with one of the biggest wins of his career, but also earned a $60,000 bonus for “Submission of the Night”.