‘Dumbfounded’ Ricardo Lamas ‘upset’ at losing UFC featherweight title shot to Anthony Pettis

While Anthony Pettis and Team Roufusport are elated and celebrating their freshly received title shot against Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, Ricardo Lamas sits on the sidelines, 'dumbfounded' as to why he, a 145-pound veteran with four straight wins inside the division, was passed over in favor of "Showtime."

Pettis, the No.1 contender in the promotion's lightweight division, received the championship bout after texting company president Dana White immediately after Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar last weekend at UFC 156.

In a rather surprising move, the higher ups at Zuffa granted "Showtime" his wish and booked the fight three days later and it's now set to pop off on Aug. 3, 2013 at a yet-to-be-determined event.

Perhaps it was the promotion's way of making it up to Pettis, after he was passed over himself at the 155-pound strap in favor of Gilbert Melendez.

Speaking to UFC Tonight (via MMA Fighting), "The Bully" gave his thoughts on Pettis getting dibs on fighting "Scarface" next and explains why he believes he is the rightful owner of the next title shot, especially after defeating Erik Koch, who many believed to be the next in line to face Aldo had he proved victorious at UFC on FOX 6:

"I'm pretty upset about it. I'm busting my ass, I put in all this work and I'm not being rewarded. I'm just a little dumbfounded by the whole situation. I thought I already established I was the no. 1 contender. If Koch would have beaten me, none of this would have happened."

Ricardo is also confused as to why UFC officials booked the 145-title fight between Aldo and Pettis so late in the year:

"I don't know why they pushed it back so far. I don't really know what to say. If guys are dropping weight classes, they should earn their spot."

While it was never confirmed Lamas would actually receive the next title shot against Aldo, the move means he will likely take another bout in the interim.

Perhaps a No. 1 contender's fight against "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung is in his near future?