Anthony Pettis Eying July Return To Octagon, Picking ‘Smooth’ Over ‘Punk’

UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had a wild 2013 that started with a bang when he knocked out Donald Cerrone and was scheduled to fight Jose Aldo for the featherweight title. He had to withdraw from that fight due to a knee injury, but he simply returned three weeks later to fight Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after original title contender T.J. Grant was forced out with a concussion.

Pettis took advantage of the opportunity and shocked the world, submitting the former 155-pound champ with a first round armbar to steal the gold.

But last year wasn’t all fun and games for Pettis.

“Showtime” unfortunately suffered yet another knee injury in the win over Henderson, this time ending up with a torn PCL that required surgery. He’s hasn’t fought since August, and with a crowded division of worthy contenders lining up to face him, Pettis’ return date is a hot topic in MMA right now.

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Pettis thinks it’s going to be sometime this summer, tentatively on or around the UFC’s traditional July 4th blockbuster card. Ariel Helwani broke the news on tonight’s edition of “UFC Tonight”:

“I spoke to Anthony yesterday and he said his knee rehab is going great and he’s shooting for a return in July. Then his manager Mike Roberts told me they want to fight July 5th, you know, that big July 4th weekend show, usually in Las Vegas. By the way, I asked Anthony who he thinks is gonna win on Saturday night (at UFC on FOX 10). He said he’s picking Benson Henderson.”

That should be music to the ears of both Henderson and Josh Thomson, who will face off in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC on FOX 10 from Chicago, Illinois. The bout is billed as a potential title eliminator with the winner eventually squaring off with Pettis.

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But renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Klapper described Pettis’ injury on “UFC Tonight,” and the prognosis did not sound positive:

“In my opinion this is the toughest thing you can come back from. When you’re talking about the back of the knee, where the arteries, the nerves are, a much trickier area to get to. The results are not as terrific as they are with the structures that we rebuild in the front. I would pray for him. Coming back in July, that’s really optimistic.”

Pettis has had a history of injuries in the past, as he only fought once in 2012 after a shoulder injury left him sidelined until his fight with Cerrone at UFC on FOX 6 a year ago. His recent knee troubles seem to be more serious, however, and he definitely shouldn’t return to the cage before he’s fully healed.

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He’s one of the most marketable stars the UFC has left after Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre left the sport for the time being. The promotion can ill afford to see his knee injury worsen and him be on the sidelines for an extended period of time like Dominick Cruz.

With his flashy kicking style, Pettis’ knees will probably always be in danger of some sort of injury. Hopefully he can return to the Octagon sometime this summer, but it’s not worth risking his health. With unlimited potential on his side, it would be beyond disappointing to see injuries end up costing “Showtime” too much time in the spotlight.

Photo: David Banks for USA TODAY Sports