Anthony Pettis‘ road back to the Octagon is going well, so far.
According to Duke Roufus, Pettis’ long-time coach, the UFC lightweight champion was cleared two weeks ago by his doctor to box, train jiu-jitsu, as well as partake in strength and conditioning for rehab.
Pettis underwent surgery in December after he suffering a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee. When he initially injured his knee against Benson Henderson in August he was told he did not need surgery, however, he further injured the knee in training, which forced him to go under the knife.
In addition to his rehab, Pettis has a busy upcoming schedule. He’ll be a coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 20,” which begins filming in July, opposite contender Gilbert Melendez, and then he’ll defend his title for the first time against Melendez in late 2014. No specific date has been announced for the Pettis-Melendez tilt.