UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had to pull out of his ‘UFC On FOX 9’ headlining title fight with Josh Thomson earlier this week, and it’s now feared that it could be as long as six months before he’s able to return to the Octagon.
Pettis has torn his PCL, the same ligament in his left knee that he injured during his latest victory over Ben Henderson at UFC 164.
On that occasion he was told it would take two months of rehab before he could return, but after that he immediately damaged it again.
The best case scenario now is that he just needs another two months out, but the worst is that he may need surgery and that would require him to sit out for the next six months.
Pettis has also had problems with his right knee in the past, so it’s concerning that he’s having to deal with so many knee-related issues at this relatively early stage in his career, still only being 26 years of age.
It’s part of the territory when your a fighter that injuries like this can happen, but his ultra-dynamic, acrobactic style certainly seems to put him at greater risk than most.
Pettis’ opponent, Thomson – who’s no stranger to injuries himself – now will have to wait with baited breath to find out what’s going to happen next. If Pettis is just out for a couple of months then it’s likely he’ll just be able to wait it out and fight him sometime early next year, but if it’s going to be six months then it may be that he has to take another bout in the mean time.
If so, look for him to be paired up with another former No.1 contender who never got around to getting his title shot due to injury, TJ Grant.
