Anthony Pettis expects to be the next BJ Penn, new king of UFC pay-per-view

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, who defends his title later this month against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185, is not content to simply rule the roost at 155 pounds.

He wants to be the best eva.

That means to that end is becoming the next BJ Penn, since "The Prodigy" is widely-considered to be one of the finest lightweights to ever compete, which may have been even more impressive had he stayed put instead of choosing to dabble in other weight classes.

"Showtime" breaks it down for FOX Sports.

"Me getting that belt was the first goal. Now it's time to set this legacy in place and make sure people remember my name for a long time. When you look at the lightweight division, the biggest name that sticks out is B.J. Penn. He's an icon and he's been around a long time and he was dominant as the champ. I think I'm set up to be the next name in the line. You have Frankie Edgar, you have Ben Henderson, but I think I can be the most dominant champ in this lightweight division. I want to be one of the pay-per-view kings in the UFC. I think there's a path right now set up for someone to come in and take over, and I can be that guy. I have the fighting style and people like seeing me fight. I don't plan on changing that. I just need to keep doing what I do and everything will happen."

Those are some pretty big shoes to fill.

While former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar holds the pay-per-view record for his work in the main event of UFC 100, ex-welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre is considered the "king" of all buys, at least according to UFC President Dana White, who doesn't make those numbers public.

Penn, St. Pierre ... Pettis?