Pettis responds to Nate Diaz's provocations and plans return for July

A. Pettis (photo) recovers from a knee injury. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Right after winning Gray Maynard at the TUF 18 Finale, last Saturday (30), Nate diaz drew attention when he stated that he considers Gilbert Melendez the number one in the lightweight category and himself the second name in the division, excluding the champion Anthony Pettis. In an interview with “UFC Tonight”, the organization's official newspaper, Pettis made no bones about it and responded to Diaz's provocations.

"Nate diaz has been talking a lot. In his last fight he actually looked good, but it's hard to judge against Gray Maynard. I hope he works his way up, and we will fight. After their last fight, Nate said that he and Melendez tops among the light ones. It feels like he's sending a message directly to me. That belt is in my living room and it’s for a reason,” said Pettis.

In the process of recovering from a knee injury, the champion of the under-70 kg division also said that he intends to return to fight in July 2014. “The doctor said that I will be out of action for six to eight months. So I'm waiting six months. I want to be back in the summer (in the northern hemisphere). The hope is to have a fight in July”, concluded Pettis.

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