Currently on the shelf after undergoing shoulder surgery, Anthony Pettis is now looking forward to his first fight back this fall. Pettis decided to take the surgery after the title shot he was hoping for went to Frankie Edgar, who was granted his rematch against Benson Henderson at UFC 150. His rehabilitation is taking longer than he originally expected. He first thought he’d be out for 8 weeks and looked to return at the end of the summer, but that appears to have been pushed back.
Here’s what Pettis had to say to MMA Weekly:
I had shoulder surgery in early April, I’m just trying to get better and get back in the cage. I’m shooting for October or November. It’s taking a little longer than expected but I wanted to make sure I’m 100 percent before I get back in there. As of right now, I’m still recovering from the shoulder surgery so I can’t take any offers or call anyone out. I’m just kind of at a standstill right now. I want a title shot, so whoever’s gonna get me that next fight to a title shot, I’m up for it. I’m in the UFC and I want a UFC title shot. I worked my way to get here and I think I deserve a title shot
In his last fight Anthony Pettis impressed many with a first round high kick KO of Joe Lauzon at UFC 144. At the time, even Dana White was eyeing him for the next shot. However, when Henderson upset Edgar later that night, Frankie campaigned hard to get the rematch he felt he deserved. Dana eventually granted Edgar the request and went on to promise the following shot to Nate Diaz after UFC On Fox 3. All that depends on what happens next month, though. If the winner of Henderson vs Edgar is injured or forced to sit out, Pettis and Diaz could find themselves in a title eliminator.
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