Although plans for UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo to move up in weight and challenge lightweight titleholder Anthony Pettis were seemingly finalized in the wake of Aldo’s victory at UFC 169, according to a report from Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, Pettis’ continued injury woes may put a damper on the proposed summer match-up.
Pettis, who is currently recovering from surgery on his left knee, is scheduled to meet with his doctor next week to discover the feasibly of a July return.
If Pettis’ diagnosis should come back negative, Aldo may have to fight once more at 145 pounds and defend his championship belt, according to UFC President Dana White. White did not specify which 145-pound contender would get the nod if the situation arose.
Pettis, 26, suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee midway through his first-round victory against Benson Henderson at UFC 164. The injury was unrelated to the knee injury that held Pettis out of a featherweight title bout against Aldo in 2013.
Pettis underwent surgery to repair his torn PCL in December 2013. Depending on the severity of the injury, PCL reconstructions generally require upwards of a six to nine month recovery period.
Due to injury, Pettis (17-2) has yet to attempt the first defense of his UFC lightweight title. Aldo (24-1), meanwhile, has won nine straight WEC/UFC championship fights since first seizing the belt in 2009.