Former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (22-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) is injured with a broken foot that he suffered in a unanimous decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 241. However, Pettis did not need surgery and Roufus said he is targeting a return at UFC 245 on Dec. 14.
“He had a tough break with Nate (Diaz), but all credit to Nate,” Roufus told the media in Abu Dhabi at UFC 242. “He had a great performance, and let’s face it: Nate Diaz has arrived. He’s a needle pusher, and all the best to Nate, but we’ll see what happens. (I’m) just positive we’re going to get another big one and we’re excited about it.”
Roufus considers a fight against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez would be a wild one.
“An interesting fight that I think would be kind of fun is Diego Sanchez and Anthony (Pettis) – two old-school, crazy Latino legends of the sport,” Roufus said. “If you want to talk about barnburners that would be fun.”
According to Roufus, another choice for Pettis is former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit. “I think former champion Carlos Condit would be fun, especially at 170,” Roufus said. “I like those two fights a lot. We’ll see what happens if it matches up. I mean, now I’d just like to see another fun fight that motivates him to want to keep doing great things.”
Roufus hinted Pettis will stay at 170 pounds, but the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, who has completed the majority of his career at 155, is still a highly ranked lightweight.
Before the Diaz fight, Pettis defeated former title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 148, solidifying his position as a top-ten welterweight contender. Since his decision loss to Diaz, the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion have dropped four spots to No. 12.
