UFC lightweight Kurt Pellegrino's UFC 116 loss to George Sotiropoulos has left him needing surgery on his left knee.

While losing a unanimous decision battle, Pellegrino also injured his left knee that will keep him out of competition for quite some time.

"For those who don't know I'm getting meniscus surgery next week sometime :(" he wrote on his Twitter account earlier today.

After visiting the doctor this afternoon, Pellegrino's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. While his recovery and rehabilitation will sideline him for months, his spirit has not been defeated.

"...I'll be back and ready soon to go to war !!!!!!!" he posted after seeing the doctor.

Pellegrino has already spoken to training partner Kenny Florian and trainer Jon Chaimberg about his return, and they found that a end-of-year return date is viable.

"I want to fight in December," Pellegrino told MMAJunkie.com. "If I can fight in December, that will give me enough time to go through the surgery, to heal my leg and get ready to fight."