Sorry Khabib Nurmagomedov, but Anthony Pettis is not afraid of Vladimir Putin or his Taekwondo black belt

Top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov recently declared war on American fighters, thanks to United States President Barack Obama and his pesky sanctions.

See those comments here.

The end goal, of course, is a 155-pound title shot, which could come against Anthony Pettis, if "Showtime" is able to get past Gilbert Melendez in the co-main event of UFC 181, which takes place this Saturday (Dec. 6, 2014) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But don't expect Pettis to be shaking in his boots.

That's because the flashy striker believes he has some of the best Taekwondo in the world, and would expect to do well against ninth-degree black belt and president of Russia, Vladimir Putin.

Pretty sure that would break this record.

Pettis (17-2) is known for his devastating leg kicks, which have felled the likes of Joe Lauzon, Donald Cerrone, and Ben Henderson, among others. The latter of which gave mixed martial arts (MMA) fans the "Showtime Kick" -- though it might need a new name if he landed that one on Putin.

Mos-POW!