Making an appearance on UFC Tonight, our own Ariel Helwani reports UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is looking to return to action for the 4th of July weekend. The holiday typically coincides with one of the UFC's largest events held each year in Las Vegas.
Team Anthony Pettis tells me they are targeting a return on the July 5 card. For the record, Pettis is picking Bendo. #ufctonight
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 23, 2014
Pettis was slated to make the first defense of his title to Josh Thomson Dec. 14, 2013 at UFC on FOX 9, but was forced to withdraw after suffering a torn posterior cruciate ligament four weeks prior. Before taking the lightweight strap from Benson Henderson at UFC 164 last August, Pettis was also pulled from a featherweight title bout with champion Jose Aldo. In that instance, Pettis suffered a slight tear to his meniscus little more than two weeks until fight night.
Also appearing on the program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group orthopedic surgeon Dr. Robert Klapper spoke with Kenny Florian about some of the more threatening injuries around the UFC. Regarding Pettis' prognosis, the physician didn't sound optimistic on a July return.
"In my opinion, this is about the toughest thing you can come back for," says Klapper. "Of all the injuries that can happen to a knee, when you're talking about the ACL or the meniscus, these are the structures in the front. It's easy for us as surgeons to get there. When you're talking about the back of the knee, where the arteries and nerves are, a much trickier area to get to, the results are not as terrific as they are with the structures we rebuild in the front. I would pray for him. Coming back in July? That's really optimistic."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Yes to TRT. Vitor Belfort now says he will, indeed, apply for a testosterone use exemption when he faces Chris Weidman later this year.
Details on Hendo's new deal. Coming off his knockout loss to Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson re-ups with the UFC for six more fights. More from Hendo here.
Boxing before MMA. Anderson Silva says he'd like to box Roy Jones Jr. before making a return to the UFC. "When I get better, that's my biggest goal, especially because I won't be able to fight MMA too soon."
Longread with the Bourdains. Anthony Bourdain and his lovely wife Ottavia talk everything from training for jiu jitsu tournaments to Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate.
The next great heavyweight. Everything you need to know about amateur wrestler Tyrell Fortune. "He has the highest MMA upside of any wrestler that has converted to the sport, ever."
MEDIA STEW
UFC 169: Extended Preview.
Bendo 'won't make the same mistakes' against Thomson.
New Tommy Toe Hold.
Dave Batista on how training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu helped get him back to the WWE.
I'm a little creeped out.
And just because, Josh Thomson on Blind Date.
TUF Nations full fight: Elias Theodorou vs. Zein Saliba.
Long watches.
UFC on Fox 10: Care/Don't Care Preview
TWEETS
Pretty cool.
Getting scanned at @GREVIN_Montreal- can't believe my wax figure will be beside Wayne Gretzky's in a few months!!! pic.twitter.com/VthggXDj3j
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) January 22, 2014
The years have been kind.
On The Left with 19 years old becoming the youngest @ufc champ and on the right still on my prime with... http://t.co/XVu8dqPv9Y
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) January 22, 2014
Get well soon.
HOLY CRAP @kaitlin_young is Harry Potter!!! @InvictaFights pic.twitter.com/nUDYXAQog1
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) January 22, 2014
1st day back to team training yesterday and I partially separate a rib. I guess it is time for me to be coaching lol
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) January 22, 2014
Cast is off. Hand looks like it belongs on a zombie. #WhatsThatSmell? pic.twitter.com/oYmynbnGkV
— Cody Donovan (@donnybrookcody) January 22, 2014
Glad I still had this Bone Stimulator to accelerate bone growth from my last broken hand http://t.co/ge6ESaDcom
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) January 22, 2014
@bisping please do your very best to pass your eye exam.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 23, 2014
Please and thank you.
Like @MetamorisPro tournaments.Interesting, have they place for me on next event?
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 22, 2014
Next week.
Thanks @patrick_cote @kruashmuaythai @BTTCANADA @DavidZilberman2 for picking me to fight @IndichMMA. Next week we get after it! #teamcanada
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) January 23, 2014
So its me & @ChadLaprise next week lets do this!! @KyleNoke @IzzyStyle @robertotussa_72 @UFC_Australia @UFC_Australia #TUFNations @fxtvau
— Chris Indich (@IndichMMA) January 23, 2014
There goes my bait and switch plan.
How cool!! =) Thanks @OttaviaBourdain for the shot out!! Xo! #tuf20 @ufc @InvictaFights http://t.co/dWqPm9MQNU
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) January 23, 2014
Maybe on a mail order bride?
Ever place & finalize an order then they call you & tell you that the shipping is going to cost you more? #madness #notpaying
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) January 22, 2014
I'll take your word for it.
This is how I feel about the weather in Chicago pic.twitter.com/rP6KgxfCrj
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) January 22, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 22 2014)
Norman Parke vs. Leonardo Santos at UFC Fight Night 38
Mairbek Taisumov vs. Gleison Tibau at UFC Fight Night 38
Thiago Perpetuo vs. Kenny Robertson at UFC Fight Night 38
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC on FOX 10
When I look at what the UFC presented for its last 5 editions of UFC on FOX, I'm a little let down by what is being presented. I'm not upset with the main event of Benson Henderson and Josh Thomson. It should be a fun and engaging affair between two well-rounded savvy veterans. But I look at what is happening a week later and see that two title fights are happening at UFC 169... and wonder why the Jose Aldo-Ricardo Lamas bout couldn't have headlined this card. But to be totally honest, that isn't what is irking me. I'd have to say the letdown of the co-main event as well as the rest of the main card. We go from match-ups in this spot like Frank Mir-Daniel Cormier, Rory MacDonald-Jake Ellenberger, and Urijah Faber-Michael McDonald to Gabriel Gonzaga-Stipe Miocic? And Adriano Martins did have an impressive debut... but to jump from Facebook prelims against Daron Cruickshank to a FOX main card against Donald Cerrone?
I'll digress. Though the importance of the matches isn't up to the usual FOX standards, explosive violence is to be expected from these fights. The only main card fight with serious potential to be a dud is if Darren Elkins implements his lay and prey style in the opener against Jeremy Stephens. Not to be rooting against Elkins, but I don't think its necessary for me to say no one outside of his fight team is hoping for that. Sergio Pettis (yes, lightweight champ Anthony's little bro) follows up his debut and bantamweight headhunter Eddie Wineland make appearances on the undercard as well and its quite common for their opponents to be taking naps shortly after meeting up with them. There is no reason that I shouldn't be happy after this card. I really should stop bitching about such things.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.