The punch that blinded Anthony Pettis early in his UFC 185 title defense against Rafael dos Anjos took an exacting toll. Not only on the fight itself, which he lost via unanimous decision, but in the aftermath.
According to Pettis’ manager, Mike Roberts, “Showtime” suffered a fractured orbital bone when dos Anjos connected with a big left hand in the opening round on Saturday night, and will be out of action for at least six weeks. Pettis said after the fight that he couldn’t see out of that eye for the remainder of the bout.
UFC Tonight reported that the 28-year old Pettis had to remain in Dallas until Tuesday as a precaution for the orbital, and that he was informed there that he would be out six weeks. Roberts said that the former champ will have a follow-up in Milwaukee, where he lives and trains at Roufusport.
Pettis was a sizable favorite heading into his second title defense with dos Anjos, and he had said before the fight that he wanted to compete four times in 2015. Pettis won the lightweight title at UFC 164 in 2013, and he successfully defended the belt against Gilbert Melendez in December at UFC 181. Now with the injury, fighting four times in a year might be a difficult task. According to Roberts, though, Pettis is still chomping at the bit to get back in there.
“He is anxious to get back in there and show the world the real AP,” he said.