UFC
UFC Champ Anthony Pettis may require surgery for torn PCL, could be out four to six months
Nov 13, 2013 - 11:30:09 PM UFC Champ Anthony Pettis may require surgery for torn PCL, could be out four to six months

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis might be out a lot longer than previously thought, as he's awaiting a follow up with doctors to find out if he'll need surgery on his injured knee.

According to a report from Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's new UFC Tonight program on Fox Sports 2, Pettis is going to have his knee examined again in Los Angeles after his brother Sergio makes his UFC debut at UFC 167 in Las Vegas this Saturday.

Pettis initially injured the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his win over Benson Henderson at UFC 164, but it was just a partial tear and was supposed to heal on its own. However, after going through his rehab, he checked a kick on his first day back training and the PCL tore completely.

At the very least, he's got another eight weeks of rehab, but if surgery is required, he'll be out from four to six months.

Penick's Analysis: That's just no good at all. Pettis' injury issues are worrisome, but hopefully he's able to get back from this one as quickly as possible and avoid further complications. All anyone can hope for is him getting back to action a lot sooner than later, but it likely also means Josh Thomson has to fight again. A Thomson-T.J. Grant fight is probably going to result if Pettis has to get surgery, but hopefully he'll be able to return by May at the latest at this stage.