TORONTO -- Former WEC lightweight champion Anthony (Showtime) Pettis is dropping down a weight class to challenge UFC featherweight title-holder Jose Aldo.
The 145-pound fight is slated for Aug. 3, at a venue to be determined.
Aldo (22-1) is coming off a weekend UFC 156 win by decision over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie (The Answer) Edgar. It marked his fourth successful UFC title defence.
The 26-year-old Brazilian, a former WEC champion, has won 15 straight since a November 2005 submission loss to Luciano Azevedo.
Pettis (14-2) has won three straight, earning winning knockout of the night honours for his most recent victories over Joe Lauzon and Donald (Cowboy) Cerrone.
Aldo made US$290,000 for his title defence against Edgar, according to figures released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC.
Aldo's basic purse included a $120,000 win bonus and $50,000 for fight of the night. Edgar made $170,000, including his share of the fight of the night bonus.
The figures do not tell the whole story, however, since the UFC does not release all of its bonuses or payments. For marquee fighters, that could mean a lucrative cut of the pay-per-view revenue.
Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem collected $285,715 despite being knocked out by Antonio (Bigfoot) Silva, who earned $120,000 including $50,000 for KO of the night.
Former UFC light-heavyweight title-holder Rashad Evans made $300,000 for his loss to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira ($174,000 including a $67,000 win bonus). Evans missed out on a win bonus of $215,000.
Welterweight Demian Maia earned $126,000 for defeating Jon Fitch ($60,000).
