Anthony Pettis Still Hoping to Face Nate Diaz Sometime This Year

UFC lightweight Anthony Pettis is still recuperating from shoulder surgery and has to yet to hear back about his next opponent.

Pettis has reemerged as one of the division's top contenders after dropping a loss to Clay Guida, picking up two straight victories over Jeremy Stephens and Joe Lauzon.

The former WEC lightweight champion does not tend to call out fighters too often, but he would prefer to square off against Nate Diaz when he does return.

Diaz was recently crowned the new No.1 contender for the UFC lightweight title, and he said he is willing to wait for the winner of Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar at UFC 150. 

But Pettis' manager, Mike Roberts, spoke to MMAWeekly Radio earlier this week and he doesn't believe the Stockton, Calif., native will wait out that long to compete again.

"We all know that everybody can change their minds, I believe that’s the fight that makes the most sense," Roberts said. "I think Nate Diaz is a fighter before a guy that wants to be a champion. Waiting is his choice and his prerogative. I can’t see him wanting to wait."

Of course, Roberts made it clear that his client has no intention of starting any rivalry between him and Diaz and that Pettis just simply wants to contend for a title opportunity. 

But Pettis isn't picky about whom he faces upon his return to the Octagon, and if he cannot face Diaz, then he will continue on his quest for a title bout.

"At the end of the day if it’s not Nate Diaz, we’ll take whoever’s next who’s available to fight," he said.