Anthony Pettis Vs. Joe Lauzon Set For UFC 144 In Japan

Joe Lauzon and Anthony Pettis have been pushing to face each other inside the Octagon. Now, after having it reported that the two would meet at UFC 143, UFC officials have now confirmed that the lightweights will collide at UFC 144 in Japan.

"Verbal agreements are in for a match between two of the most exciting lightweights in the sport as Joe 'J-Lau' Lauzon will face Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis February 26th in Saitama, Japan," said UFC president Dana White.

UFC 144 is set to take place on February 26 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The card will also feature a main event between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.

Lauzon (21-6) submitted Melvin Guillard earlier this year with a 47-second submission victory. He has won five of his last seven bouts. Pettis is 5-1 in his last six, including a victory over Henderson while the two were in the WEC.

"War is eminent for UFC in Japan. 'Showtime' Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon! Couldn't pick a better place for ninja like Anthony Pettis to do work," Pettis' trainer, Duke Roufus, posted on his Twitter account Tuesday night.

Other bouts expected to take place at UFC 144 include Jake Shields meeting Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Tim Boetsch taking on Yushin Okami.

Dana Becker is a staff writer for FightLine.com. He can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DanaBecker.