Anthony Pettis Says Anderson Silva Shouldn’t Come Back To MMA

UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is no stranger to injury in MMA; ‘Showtime’ has been plagued by the curse for the best part of two years now. It almost makes his climb to the belt that much more impressive. The former WEC 155 kingpin is sidelined at present, but will have the winner of Ben Henderson vs. Josh Thomson to face upon his return.

The worst injury of 2013 has to be Anderson Silva’s horrific leg break at UFC 168, it caught the attention of the entire MMA fandom and had us all cringing. Pettis weighed in on Silva and his career threatening injury, as he spoke with Yahoo Sports:

“I hope he doesn’t [come back] because why? His legacy is already fulfilled. What’s he going to come back and win the belt? He’s done what he’s going to do in the sport.”

“I couldn’t even watch it,” Pettis added. “It was disgusting. It sucks because he’s one of the greatest of all-time. He’s the Muhammad Ali of MMA and the way he went out sucks.”

It was hard to watch for most fans due to the graphic nature, but for devout Silva fans it was a harsh dose of reality. Dominick Cruz recently suffered a groin tear in training and has been forced to vacate his Bantamweight belt. ‘Showtime’ continued:

“I feel for him,” Pettis said about Cruz. “Injuries are a part of the game and for someone to be out that long, I understand. But if I’m out for a year, give someone else a chance. I was waiting for the title for a long time, so I understand that.”

I certainly hope that we don’t see as many injuries in the top flight this year. Nasty injuries are an obvious hazard involved in combat sports, but it doesn’t make it any easier for the fighters that can’t earn or defend their titles.

Pettis was originally set to face Thomson at UFC on Fox in December, but a torn ligament sustained in training forced him in to sitting out. He spoke about his rehabilitation and recovery:

“I have no pain, “I didn’t even take pain pills. Now it’s just a waiting process. You have to wait for it to heal back up. The hardest thing to build back up is the confidence. Going in there [the Octagon] and knowing nothing is wrong.”

I think that the effects of injuries are amplified beyond physical pain; a fighter coming back before they are fit is a common occurrence in MMA and often costs them their return bout. In this case it would cost Pettis the belt, so lets hope he comes back at 100 percent.

Photo: USA TODAY Sports