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There could be some difficult decisions ahead for Anthony Pettis.

The former lightweight champion came up short on the judges’ scorecards against Edson Barboza at UFC 197. It was his third consecutive loss inside the Octagon.

The reality of Pettis’ situation is a difficult one to put into focus. Just two years ago, “Showtime” looked to be an unstoppable force, reigning atop the lightweight division.

Using a sniper-like striking attack and a slick submission game, Pettis put away one elite-level fighter after the next. His success inside the Octagon elevated his profile beyond the cage; the Milwaukee native became one of the UFC’s fastest rising stars. It led to a series of high profile endorsements, with the most notable seeing Pettis become the first UFC fighter to be featured on a Wheaties box. 

After dealing with injuries and setbacks on his road to become a UFC champion, Pettis finally appeared poised to become the enigmatic and electrifying fighter he’d long been projected to be. The buzz and hype surrounding his creative and unpredictable style elevated his status as a fighter to watch, and his momentum was at an all-time high heading into his bout against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185.

Where Pettis was a young and talented phenom, the Brazilian was a seasoned veteran who’d hit an impressive upswing in recent years. But it seemed a foregone conclusion Pettis would best dos Anjos and continue his reign. 

That's not how things played out. 

Dos Anjos defeat Pettis to become the new lightweight champion, dismantling him in the process. Dos Anjos used a mixture of striking and wrestling to keep Pettis on his heels, and applied his signature forward pressure to ensure Pettis wouldn’t have the space to return fire. The end result was a lopsided 25-minute beatdown. 

Even the best fighters experience off nights, and everyone expected Pettis to bounce back. He used the rest of 2015 to recover from an orbital bone injury suffered in the dos Anjos fight and prepared for his return against Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 81.

The lackluster showing against dos Anjos make Pettis go into his fight against Alvarez, a former Bellator champion, with something to prove.

A victory over Alvarez would certainly put him right back on the title radar, but he needed to do more than just squeak out a win. But once things got rolling against Alvarez, it was clear something was missing.

Pettis’ weakness in the wrestling department has never been a secret. And while Alvarez was able to take him down throughout the three-round affair, it was clear his work with notable wrestling coach Israel “Izzy” Martinez had helped his wrestling game a great deal. What Pettis lacked in the fight with Alvarez was confidence. For a fighter whose entire skill set and creativity is fueled by incredible self-belief, the lack of confidence handcuffed him.

Pettis wasn’t able to pull the trigger, and Alvarez capitalized. Pettis remained game from the opening bell to the last, but the confidence that once radiated from him was gone.

Alvarez won a split decision, and Pettis found himself facing consecutive losses for the first time in his career. And yet, even though it was clear Pettis was in the middle of a slump, it felt like the highlight machine could return at any moment.

Pettis decided to switch things up for his next camp. Rather than remain under the tutelage of mentor Duke Roufus, Pettis spent time in Albuquerque with coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn to prepare for his UFC 197 fight with the dangerous striker Edson Barboza.

It was an important fight. Pettis understood his back was against the wall if he wanted to keep his championship ambitions alive. He came into UFC 197 determined to reclaim his spot among the division’s best.

But Barboza was in top form on Saturday night. He handed Pettis his third-straight defeat, and it was not particularly close. Barboza used inside leg kicks to keep Pettis off balance. Pettis appeared more confident and agile, but was never able to get his offense going on the Brazilian. 

So what is next for Pettis? A three-fight skid won’t put his job in jeopardy in the way it would lesser-known fighters. But it certainly brings him to a crossroads. 

Pettis previously considered a drop down to 145-pounds to face then champion Jose Aldo, but an injury derailed those plans. A change in weight class can reinvigorate a fighter's career, and it might be a good time for him to make the switch. 

Pettis could also choose to stay in his current weight class. He lost at UFC 197, but also showed flashes of the Pettis of old. His next fight could see a full return to championship quality.

Whether it's at lightweight or featherweight, Pettis' level of stardom will ensure he faces a big name opponent. But dropping down to featherweight would mark a new chapter for Pettis. 

At lightweight he’s a former champion who has lost three in a row. But moving to featherweight would make him an instant and intriguing player in a new division. Fighters changing weight classes is certainly nothing new. Pettis needs to make a change.

With all of his success and proven talent there’s no doubting what Pettis is capable of inside the cage. He just needs to find his way, and needs to do do it quickly.